A Different Look at a Crane: Opinions Wanted

[Doug Brown]

I've spent a lot of time at the Bosque, and one of the challenges there is to come up with a different take on a common subject (Cranes or Geese). This photo was taken at the flight deck as the Cranes were flying in to roost for the night. What drew me to this image was the way the setting sun caught the eye of the bird and not much else. I like the shadow of the head on the neck too. The BG gives the image the perfect mood IMO. What do you all think?



Canon 1D Mark IV, 600mm + 1.4x, f/5.6, 1/2000, ISO 500, manual exposure, hand held

[Dan Busby]

It certainly works for me Doug. You have detail in all parts so I think the shadows help to convey the situation. The bird is in a perfect pose and it stands out nicely from the BG - which in its own right is very nice. Of course, the lovely reflective colour in the eye really draws one in. I'm a fan!

[Stan Cunningham]

My gosh Doug, don't know why you need an opinion with that light on the eye and the red on the head and the background. Great image. IMHO there is too much emphasis on the wings down, there can be some great images with the "wings up" and this is one of them.

[Satish Ranadive]

Mind-blowing light effects.Loved the wing span and eye.

[Grace Scalzo]

I love it too, Doug. Super sharp and with that pin point of light in the eye and on the front edges of the wings, it is a very effective use of light.

[Roger Clark]

Hi Doug,

This image is at a phase angle + body angle that rarely works. The phase angle looks to be near 90 degrees, but we are looking at the shadow side of the head. This usually results in high contrast. In your image, the contrast is mitigated by reflections from the ground which helps show some detail in the shaded areas under the wings, and light from the blue sky which illuminates the top of the wings. The sky was dominantly blue because of the blue cast on the top of the wings. Some fill flash could also have helped here. While it is a fine image in that it is nicely exposed and sharp, the head being in shadow and barely having light on the eye reduces impact in my opinion. If the sun were 20 degrees closer to you, then the face would be better illuminated and the image would have more impact, yet still have the dramatic lighting on the wings. I do like the lighting on the wings. Did you lift the shadows on the head in post processing?

Roger

[Doug Brown]

Did you lift the shadows on the head in post processing?

I did a curves adjustment that brought up the shadows. I appreciate your detailed explanation of your opinion Roger.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Doug, although I dont like the shadow on the neck, I love the light in the eye, on the wings and the head. Works for me. Yes, to different and excellent :-)

[Louie Champan]

Well for me the shot works and here's why; in my mine it protrays a real life image of how we see these cranes. The catch light in the eye adds significantly to the shot, but the shadows and background are beautiful. I've shot cranes at Bosque del Apache and when they're flying you get shadows, it adds depth to the shot. Wouldn't change a thing if it were me. Well done.

[Melissa Groo]

The sliver of light on the eye absolutely makes this shot. It's a real beauty, very unique and evocative of Bosque and a waning day. TFS.

[Doug Brown]

Appreciate the feedback folks!