DAP Turkey Vulture

[Richard Lovison]

This was taken in September, 2010 on Cape Cod. I was standing on a high sand dune close to the edge swirling around in circles trying to catch a turkey vulture in flight. My wife worried that I was going to tumble over the edge though I was oblivious to the danger as I was having so much fun.

Equipment Used:

Olympus E-3
Digital Zuiko 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 @200mm (400mm 35mm equivalent)
1/640 sec @f6.3
ISO 100
hand-held with image stabilization
horizontal panning

Post Processing:

DAP using realism theme, blended with original at 80% opacity. Detail added to eye, contrast adjustments, mi-tones brought up and sharpening applied. Cropped a bit from top and left.


copyright reserved 2010-2011, Richard Lovison

[Indranil Sircar]

Excellent perspective, Richard. I like this bird-eye perspective and diagonal composition. Just wish the bill was separated from the near wings. Nice colors and painting effect. Great use DAP. TFS.

[Andrew McLachlan]

Hi Richard, I also love the perspective you got here and the effect you created. I wonder about adding a bit of canvas on the bottom and on the right side. It is a little tight in the frame for me. Nice capture!

[Julie Kenward]

...though I was oblivious to the danger...

Richard, I'm sure we've all done the same thing but I have to add BE CAREFUL! No use getting the photo of a lifetime if you're not around to show people!

This is a nice perspective! I'm with Indranil that a bit of separation between the head/beak and the wing would have made this even stronger. I also think having the surf line below his wing would have helped the comp as well. I do like what you did with the image, though. It really brought out the hidden colors and tones found in those huge wings!

[denise ippolito]

Richard, Great suggestions already given. It seems a bit tight in the frame but the tightness adds to the drama here. I like the processing and the OOTB thinking.

[Brendan Dozier]

The perspective is great, and nice colors and watercolor look. Agree with adding canvas on bottom and rt.

[Richard Lovison]

Thanks everyone for your comments and great suggestions. I'll experiment with adding more canvas to the right and bottom and possibly adding some surf below the one wing tip.

Jules: I'll be more careful in the future. :)

Richard

[Christopher Miller]

Great perspective, Richard. Definitely not your usual view of a vulture. I agree with the suggestions already given.