On top of the world

[Stu Bowie]

I would appreciate feedback if this works. In an ideal world, the perch should be level, but I have based my rotation on the ripples below. Although the Pied Kingfisher should have space to look into, Ive placed him in the top third to feel top on the world.

Canon 50D
100-400 @ 330mm
1/3200
F/6.3
ISO 500

Manual Exposure
Hand Held

[Bill Dix]

Lovely open-beak pose. Amazing large bill on this little guy. Nice BG. I see what you're after with the comp, although taking the bottom two ripples off would work equally well for me.

[Don Lacy]

Hi Stuart, Like the pose and I am ok with the position of the Kingfisher in the frame but I think you could lose the vertical pano crop and go with a 2/3 crop and have the same effect without all that empty space.

[Gary Hamilton]

Agree that image could be cropped some more from the bottom without losing the effect. I like the composition.

P.S. Angled branches are all around us--nothing to worry about .

[Jonathan Ashton]

Love the image quality the blacks and whites are excellent. Regards composition, it is different I like it .....but I think there is perhaps too much water "doing nothing". I like the green background to the bird and the open bill is great. Just one minor issue take a look at the lower mandible, is there a tiny wibbly wobbly halo around it? Perhaps the sharpening on the bill is a tad too tight??

[Jim Crosswell]

Nice image Stuart! I would crop up from the bottom as well. I like the open beak and perch.

[Stu Bowie]

Thank you all so much for the feedback. I now know how it should be, and hopefully the repost is kinda spot on.

Jon, cant do much about the lower manible, Ive tried.

[Daniel Cadieux]

The repost strikes a nice balance for me. I do think the blacks could be opened up a wee bit more...as is they make for a contrasty looking scene. The perch's slight angle does not bother.

[Don Lacy]

Like the repost Stuart.

[Robert Holguin]

Excellent shot. Really like the repost. Well composed, love the open beak, and background.
Well done.

[Randy Stout]

Stuart:

I think the repost strikes a very nice balance of elements.

The open bill and head pose is great. Light does look quite harsh.

Cheers

Randy

[Stu Bowie]

Stuart:

Light does look quite harsh.

Thanks Randy. I agree 100% with regards to harsh light. Taken at 10.00am and after 7.30am in the Pilanesberg National park, the light is getting harsh in summer. When you get up at 3.00am and drive 160km to get to the location, one captures everything that moves, sweet light, or harsh light.

Thanks to everyone else for the feedback and comments. Always appreciated.

[Randy Stout]

Stuart:

I would have taken the picture too! Are you allowed to use fill flash?

Cheers

Randy

[Stu Bowie]

Stuart:

Are you allowed to use fill flash?

Hi Randy, Fill flash is allowed in any reserve or sanctuary, be it for animals or birds. The only place a photographer is not allowed to use a flash is at a sporting event, which Im sure it would be the same your side. I must admit, when we are shooting out and about on a good weather day, one doesnt think about using flash. Yes, when a subject is in the shadows or in a tree, it does help tremendously to use fill flash. Cheers.

[Randy Stout]

Stuart:

If the light is harsh, I will always try fill flash to even out the shadows a bit. Sometimes it can't overcome the ambient conditions, but depending on your distance to the subject, it can really help.

Most of my recent wood ducks were shot with fill flash, even though the light was bright enough to get adequate exposure without, just not very even exposure.

Give it a try if you have a chance.

Cheers

Randy