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Thread: Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill.

  1. #1
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Default Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill.

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    This was taken at a picnic spot in the Kruger National Park. He was sitting on a low fence, so I went for a portrait shot. These guys like to scavenge food from visitors. This is a slightly different image from my previous one, as the BG is different.

    Canon 50D
    100-400 @ 400mm
    1/800
    F/8.0
    ISO 400

    Exp Comp 0
    Hand held

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    Great portrait,Stu,with good HA,sharpness and super bg.
    Pity no catchlight in eye.

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Stuart:

    Great character in these guys.
    Good feather detail, like the fluffed look on the neck.
    Excellent head angle for me.

    I think the image would stand going a 1/4 stop brighter, but your call.

    Cheers

    Randy

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    Ditto Randy, and I would add that some fill-flash would have helped with the eye and the area around it. I love the bill's colour and texture...you bring that out so well!

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    It's easy to mess up these "easy" shots, but you're too good a shooter for that, Stu. I like the impression of a scowl that we get from the downward pointing bill. Kind of looks like a portrait of a dictator on the national currency.

  6. #6
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Thanks a stack for your feedback and suggestions. Here is a version with exposing the head a little more.

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Stuart:

    Even better!

    Randy

  8. #8
    Nico Steenberg
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    Great sharpness and IQ. Like the comp. Subject is well exposed against a killer bg. Well done Stu.

  9. #9
    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Excellent shot, I am not sure which version I prefer, the first looks pretty darned good to me... but so does the second:)

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Thanks guys.

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    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
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    Excellent portrait Stuart. Texture and detail are outstanding.

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    The re-post is a lot better Stu. i agree with above comments, one should use more flash in there photography. I for one am lazy and don't often use it

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    Stuart, Beautiful repost and sharp details. I love the pose and the BG.

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    Lifetime Member James Salywoda's Avatar
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    Awesome portrait Stuart really well captured.

  15. #15
    Todd Frost
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    Re-post rocks Stuart. Nice pose/comp and killer bg. WEll done.
    TFS
    Todd

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    Bravo amigo!
    This must be a joy to photograph! as toucans, these birds have lots of personality!
    Love the repost and that clean BG, eye, beak and pose are wonderful too.

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    Excellent image Stuart! I like the pose, detail, BG and sharpness.

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    Co-Founder James Shadle's Avatar
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    What do ya'll think about this crop?
    IMO it makes this an even stronger image.

  19. #19
    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Yes I agree - have you also saturated a little more?

  20. #20
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Thank you so much for the kind words.

    James, I do like your new version of cropping in from the left.

  21. #21
    Ken Watkins
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    Stuart,

    I got my best ever Yellow Billed Hornbill at a picnic spot in Kruger, I think just below Mopani, I wonder if it is the same one?

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    Stuart, stunning details. WOW...such a mean looking fella. In India, the hornbills always stay very high up in tall trees. It must be delight to shoot them at eye level like this. You did very well with the exposure and HA.

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Ken, Kaus, thanks a stack guys.

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