Black Guan stare

[john jackson]

EOS 7D, 400 DO f4

ISO 800, f5, 1/500

processed in Aperture 3

Black Guan Chamaepetes unicolor

Bosque de Paz, Costa Rica

A wild bird coming to corn left out by the lodge. The white speck on the back is stray corn (messy eater!) and would clone out easily. I do not clean up dirty bills and so on. For me the colours (red/green/blue) make the image.

[Doug Brown]

I knew this was Bosque de Paz just looking at the title. Good job getting both eyes sharp. I would tone down the bright area where the blue meets the beak. I'd also crop off the bottom and add some more green up top. Even though your SS was relatively slow, I might have stopped down a little more.

[john jackson]

Thanks Doug

Your comments are telling me that the photo does not work as I intended.

First, I did not realise it was such a predictable combination of species and location. Second, I have plenty of standard portraits of this bird more in the house style of BPN with all in focus from bill tip to the back of head. This was my attempt at placing the emphasis on the remarkable eyes of this species. Maybe it would make more sense in the context of some fo my other examples of eye shots with shallow focus; some photos just do not work as standalone images.

The bright area of skin is a problem. It seems to have a life of its own and has gained brightness during the transfer to Flickr and again when linked to Flickr from here.

John

[Doug Brown]

Thanks Doug

Your comments are telling me that the photo does not work as I intended.

First, I did not realise it was such a predictable combination of species and location. Second, I have plenty of standard portraits of this bird more in the house style of BPN with all in focus from bill tip to the back of head. This was my attempt at placing the emphasis on the remarkable eyes of this species. Maybe it would make more sense in the context of some fo my other examples of eye shots with shallow focus; some photos just do not work as standalone images.

The bright area of skin is a problem. It seems to have a life of its own and has gained brightness during the transfer to Flickr and again when linked to Flickr from here.

John

Hi John. I think the photo does work quite well. I like the emphasis on the eyes. I wasn't suggesting a profile shot; I just wanted a little more of the beak in focus. Also I lead workshops to Costa Rica, and have spent a fair amount of time at Bosque de Paz. Most folks wouldn't recognize the combination of species and BG.

[john jackson]

Thanks Doug. Bosque de Paz is a great place. One of many sites in Costa Rica where I would like to linger longer.

[Daniel Cadieux]

What a curious fellow, and I love the colours of the eyes and face!! Nice green BG. Nice job of the dark plumage. I definitely would prefer more canvas above, and possibly less at right. I realize you do not clone, but perhaps you could patch out that bright spot as it does get my eye going to it more than I would like.

[john jackson]

Daniel

In this case I would clone, it's just that I have not. I generally do not clone if it is just to tidy up but in this case it is more of a lens thing than a reflection of reality so I would happily remove it.

I know my taste in crops can be a little unusual. Once I have my fill of regular crops I tend to experiment and this is one of those. The image links to Flickr if you are curious.

It's a crazy looking beast for sure!

John