Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: American Coot

  1. #1
    BPN Member Bill Dix's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Princeton, NJ
    Posts
    12,487
    Threads
    1,892
    Thank You Posts

    Default American Coot

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    From New Jersey's Lake Como several weeks ago. Based on the blinkies, I needed a bit of negative exposure comp even with a dark bird, to keep from blowing out his white bill. C&C appreciated.

    D90 | 80-400 VR @ 370mm | ISO 400 | 1/1600s @ f/7.1 | -0.7 EV | HH

  2. #2
    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    26,266
    Threads
    3,976
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Fantastic details, and good job on the exposure...the blacks look great and the easy-to-blow whites of the bill are in check too. I may reduce the lighter reflection on the wet feathers below the neck. Although the water drop looks great, its placement is not ideal. I realize it likely flew there from the coot quickly pulling its head out of the water (or some other quick movement), but it still looks out of place for a static image...

  3. #3
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Chesapeake, Virginia
    Posts
    438
    Threads
    80
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I love the detail and the exposure on the beak...easily blown out but this one looks great.

  4. #4
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Costa Mesa, CA
    Posts
    1,289
    Threads
    445
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Beautiful shot, Bill. . . I would only delete the small white spot in the water in front if the beak . . .

  5. #5
    Danny J Brown
    Guest

    Default

    Hi Bill,

    Lovely coot shot and the ivory bill is just beautiful. The red eye on these birds is often hard to get right and I think yours looks great! Coots are so photogenic, I just love any chance I get to photograph them. I like the waves in the water here as they remind me of the place I've been shooting lately on the Mississippi River. Thanks.

    DB

  6. #6
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Shanghai, China
    Posts
    1,076
    Threads
    129
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Daniel Cadieux View Post
    Although the water drop looks great, its placement is not ideal. I realize it likely flew there from the coot quickly pulling its head out of the water (or some other quick movement), but it still looks out of place for a static image...
    This is an impressive bit of analysis from Daniel. If it were my shot, then I'd have Photoshopped out the droplet, all because of Daniel's strong case.

    The Eurasian coot looks like the American and is common over here; it's one of those birds that seems easy because it's so common but is tough to shoot because it's difficult not to slip up on the exposure. You controlled the whites and blacks very well. Nice job.

  7. #7
    BPN Member Bill Dix's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Princeton, NJ
    Posts
    12,487
    Threads
    1,892
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thank you all for the comments. I debated whether to evict the water droplets, but you've persuaded me. Consider them history. Perhaps also the water reflection on the neck.

  8. #8
    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    26,266
    Threads
    3,976
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    You could also have a bit of Photoshop fun and just reposition them...with full disclosure of course!:p


  9. #9
    BPN Member Bill Dix's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Princeton, NJ
    Posts
    12,487
    Threads
    1,892
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I like it! Thanks for the suggestion. :)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics