Black Oyster Catcher

[Dave Leroy]

This was taken last week at Glenn Bartley's photo work shop, my first.

7D, 500mm +1.4TC, 1/1250, f5.6, ISO400.
Cropped a bit all around with a tad more off right.

Dave

[Don Lacy]

Wonderful contrasting colors with the red bill, blue water, and black plumage, well exposed with plenty of detail in the black feathers and you got to love the shell fish.

[Pieter de Waal]

Nice image Dave with good composition and interest factor. I like the pose with shellfish and the seaweed on the rocks puts the bird right in its environment. Nice light and detail in the blacks.

[Richard Stern]

Hi Dave,

I agree with the 2 replies above, and the act of the Oystercatcher actually catching the oyster really makes the image.

Richard

[Mark Young]

I like that you've captured the bird separating the creature from the shell.

[Dumay de Boulle]

Beautiful detail and contrast...Lovely image

[Nico Steenberg]

Super detail in the blacks and the exposure is nailed :eek: Like the comp and exposure Well done on this

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Dave, I agree with the 2 replies above, and the act of the Oystercatcher actually catching the oyster really makes the image. Richard

The prey item is actually a limpet (I believe). Also, oystercatcher is one word.

For the repost I removed the BLUE cast, lightened the whole thing a tad, and cleaned up the base of the bill. I like the SQ crop and the limpet meat :)

[Dave Leroy]

Thanks Artie.

I was not happy with original and did a white point/black point colour correction as per Ellen Anon, and it had even more blue. I stayed with original as blacks did have some red.

The repost is what I wanted and did not follow through on.

The water looks better as well. Less dramatic.

Dave

[Arthur Morris]

Glad for that Leroy. I simply ran a 100% Robert O'Toole Average Blur Color Balance on it as described in Digital Basics. Coincidentally, we are announcing the latest update either today or tomorrow.