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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.