canon 7d 70-200 f/2.8L IS II USM @ 200mm f/5.6 ISO 400 1/400s shutter priority (uncropped composition)
these hawks are simply amazing here with so many image opportunities. With the numerous hawks swooping around us, the light can be most challenging with the bright sun, sky, ocean and dark volcanic landscape. Have many images to choose from with them sitting, down below, overhead, parallel-as well as multiple hawks in a single image.
With all the hawks swooping around, it was a great place to practice exposure compensation with the extremes presented . Except time for photo ops can be limited since the platform atop the island is pretty small-so you must give it up quickly for the next visitors
At this time of day, images with the hawks below can be quite difficult with the extreme shadows cast by the lighthouse and viewing station. Nevertheless, a breathtaking experience.
I picked this image to post because of the clipped highlights on a portion of the tail. Not sure what I could have done but interested in feedback.
I like this image a lot, Steve. I agree that the highlights look blown at the base of the tail, but otherwise the detail is great. The slight head-turn toward you works well and he stands off well from the BG. I think he's positioned well in the frame.
And yet, when you open the histogram...they are not blown! Yes, they appear very bright here but they aren't blown. One thing you could do is use the burn tool to bring them down a bit (in CS5 you can choose "highlight" and a low opacity - maybe 15-20% to try to paint over the bright white area.)
If you are shooting in RAW format then you can easily correct the brightness in Adobe Camera Raw - if not, try the burn method and see what you think. Take a look in the educational forums...there's a thread in there about "saving the whites" by Arthur Morris using the Linear Burn blend mode that might work here, too.
I wish the head were a little more visible (lower wing position on the front wing) but that's minor as you really got a beautiful image as is. If he had lowered the front wing or banked hard to the left you'd have gotten an even better view of the neck and a better overall image IMO...but this is still very nice!
Beautiful warm tones and light! The image shows off the tail very well. It is general better if you can to capture the bird flying towards you to some degree rather than away. With the bird flying away, an optimal head angle is not possible or at least likely.
Galapagos Hawk high atop Bartolome' Island
