Raven on Granite

[Andrew Merwin]

Mark IV, ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/80, +1 EV, 100-400@400


I shot this into the sun on a cloudy overcast day in YNP. So, the halo around the raven’s head is back lighting. My camera was propped on the open door of my truck. It is cropped about 35%. I removed a very light area in the ULC.

[Jeff Dyck]

You have captured some great detail and irridescence in the Raven's plumage Andrew. Your "rule of thirds" composition works fine, but I would consider cropping tigher, to eliminate some of the large out-of-focus blob of rock in the lower left corner. The head angle is OK but not ideal - I would have prefered either the bird looking directly at the camera or a bit more of a profile view. I think the biggest issue with this shot is your contrast range - you seem to have missed the black point (i.e. your histogram doesn't touch the limit on the left side) - this is easily remedied in your RAW conversion or with a Levels (or Curves) adjustment in post processing.

[Sid Garige]

Andrew,

Jeff nailed it. :)

[Chris Korman]

The original posted image is need of added contrast as Jeff as done, I also like Jeff's crop. The bird's feathers have some nice dark tones and colors. Do you have an image where the bird is looking more at the camera?

[Andrew Merwin]

Thanks for the comments guys. I have images with the raven in more of a profile, but none with him looking directly at the camera.

[Jeff Dyck]

Andrew - if you haven't already, you may want to check out Artie's Head Angle Fine Points Thread

[Andrew Merwin]

Andrew - if you haven't already, you may want to check out Artie's Head Angle Fine Points Thread

Thanks Jeff. I have read & participated in the HA thread. Sometimes I just like to post something different to get peoples' reactions which is my reason for choosing ETL. You are right about the black point. I changed the raw file to reflect your observations.

[Kerry Perkins]

Nice capture Andrew and Jeff's re-do brought out the potential in this big boy. I have a very similar shot I got in the parking lot of Artist Point.