Pied Kingfisher breakfast
Ive posted a lot of Pied Kingfisher images, but I dont remember posting a portrait. The fish had already been bashed against the perch. The lower part of the image was in shade as it was still early morning ( 6.07am ) thus deciding to do something different. Apart from reducing the shape of the catchlight, the eye is untouched. Recovered some of the whites.
Canon 50D
100-400 @ 400mm
1/800
F/6.3
ISO 640
Exp Comp 0
Hand held from a hide
Last edited by Stu Bowie; 11-24-2011 at 02:04 AM.
Lovely detail and exp..BG is great. Ofer probably wont believe you didn't do anything to the eye
Lovely portrait, esp with the fish! Nice details and BG, though the whites do look a little blown in some parts. Overall a fantastic image!
Wow, what a meal! Great looking Kingfisher, Stuart, like the composition, details, and tan BG works really well. Nice work!
Stuart,
Nice eye, pity the fish was not turned our way.
Lovely shot, I have a number of images of these birds - I don't think I have one with such good eye detail. Pleasing composition and super detail.
Gorgeous color in smooth BG. Nice head turn and I like the fish. I would clone some of the white feathers into the hot area just below the neck.( for web presentation)
Gail
I agree about some of the whites being too hot but really an exellent photo.
Ben
Thank you all so much for the kind words and feedback.
I felt this was worth saving and did everything to save the whites. As mentioned above, taken at 6.07am with EC 0, and still blowing the whites. ( go to a minus EC, and you under expose the blacks ) Sometimes its just the angle and the whites turn out hot. . Other times, captured later on a different perch, different angle, the whites turn out perfect. I will have to back and get a better one.
Excellent image Stuart! I like the details, sharpness and BG.
Hi Stuart, I think the comp works well purely because of the side profile of the kingfisher and having something in it's beak certainly adds more interest to the shot.
Shootings these birds can be tricky because of the plumage, very strong Blacks & Whites, but you seem to have mastered that very well now, giving some good detail & depth where it counts. The BKG really compliment the image well IMHO, as it echoes some of the nice hues/tones & colouring within the fish. What I might suggest is just trying to pull out a bit more detail and definition within the beak and fish, perhaps the eye too? By doing so it gives a bit more clarity to the image where it needs it I feel, as at present it tends to blend in a little. I would try to extract it through the RAW files as you have more control and will give you a better result, PS may also do it too, but may not be as refined.
Albeit subtle it might illustrate my thinking.
All the best.
Steve
Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.
Steve, thanks a stack for showing what can be done - as you say subtle, but it works for me. Thanks for taking the time.
Jim, thanks for your kind words too.
Super pose and detail, what a catch for both
Chris Kotze
Excellent portrait, Stuart, you are a master at these.
The beak and eye and fish are great, the whites look good enough to me.
Dan Kearl
Stu, just wish I applied it to my image.
Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.
What a nice catch! Beautiful portrait with excellent details & BG. Very well exposed. TFS
Wonderful image. Excellent detail, great background, and love the fish in its mouth.
Well done.
all has been said, sweet imaage Stu!
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