Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Chinese Bamboo Partridges

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

    Default Chinese Bamboo Partridges

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    This picture is one of those few shots that one comes to enjoy more as time goes on. It dates from 21 June 2008. I found these two fully wild (and very nervous) Chinese bamboo partridges at the Botanical Gardens in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. I was lying on my belly; the partridges are uphill from me. The flash put just the right amount of light on them.

    Device: Nikon D300
    Lens: Sigma 120-300mm f2.8
    Focal length: 300mm
    VR: NONE
    Aperture: F/5
    Shutter Speed: 1/60
    Exposure Mode: Programmed Auto
    Exposure Comp.: 0EV
    Metering: Matrix
    White Balance: Cloudy, 0, 0
    ISO Sensitivity: ISO 220
    Flash: SB-800
    Flash Mode: i-TTL-BL, 0EV
    Last edited by Craig Brelsford; 12-09-2010 at 11:10 AM.

  2. #2
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Craig, great flash work, its so subtle, but it has worked well. I like the markings and colours of the partridges, and well placed in the frame. We all wish for the lowest possible angle to get that eye level shot. In this, I feel a tad higher shooting angle may have worked better to show the legs and feet. Looking at this again, as you have,:) I would maybe take at least half off the bottom.

  3. #3
    Lifetime Member Doug Brown's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Albuquerque, NM
    Posts
    11,879
    Threads
    917
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Really nice use of flash Craig! The birds look sharp and well exposed, and you got good eye contact from both. I'm in agreement with Stuart about a slightly higher shooting angle and the crop. Also I might clone out the stick in the foreground.
    Upcoming Workshops: Bosque del Apache 2019, Ecuador 2020 (details coming soon)
    Website -
    Facebook - 500px

  4. #4
    BPN Member Bill Dix's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Princeton, NJ
    Posts
    12,487
    Threads
    1,892
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Nice looking birds, well captured with good flash work. Good comment by Stuart.

  5. #5
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Houston, Texas
    Posts
    306
    Threads
    31
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Craig, great capture of these beautiful birds. Nice work with flash and the HA on both the birds looks fine. I would have liked to see some legs on the birds too. TFS.

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

    Default

    Good feedback, everyone. Thanks. I too would have liked a higher angle. I too would have liked to have included the partridges' feet. I happen to know why both goals were unattainable in that instance, but I understand that others don't know. I was close to the ground to make myself appear less threatening, and the birds were uphill from me.

  7. #7
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    San Francisco Bay Area
    Posts
    1,320
    Threads
    302
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Wouldn't have guessed that flash was used. Great! Perspective has been mentioned. Then the colors especially of the grass and green background appear a bit overly Kodak on my monitor. Sharpness and poses look great. JR

  8. #8
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Shanghai, China
    Posts
    1,076
    Threads
    129
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Another good critique. Thanks, Joerg. Back when I was just getting started, I had my "Set Picture Control" on "Vivid." I've long since abandoned this setting. In the photo above, I toned down the greens some but possibly could have toned them down some more.

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