Black-necked Stilt #2

[Jose Suro]

Hi All,

From my latest stilt shoot series. A different environment for a stilt - the place I found offers many different settings. And, I've observed nesting behavior over the last two visits and if this pans out it will be a wonderful, wide open shoot opportunity at the nest with 500~600mm lenses plus TCs.

Thanks for looking.

Best,

Jose

D300 - 200~400VR +1.4xTC - 1/500s @ F7.1 - ISO 800

[Sid Garige]

Jose,

Like the flowers and subject. May be a little bit more room on the left? also I do see some purple cast on my monitor. Is it only me>

[Maxis Gamez]

I have to agree with Sid. Too tight. Did you get one in horizontal??

[Jose Suro]

I have to agree with Sid. Too tight. Did you get one in horizontal??

Hi Maxis,

No I didn't for this setting. I happen to think the comp is as good as it gets. I'll explain. I've shot about 1500 images of these birds in the last three outings, from every possible angle, comp and exposure and examined them all very closely. Did you know that for their body size, they have the longest legs of any bird except for Flamingos? I couldn't believe that at first, thinking the Ostrich would be the winner there, but it's true. However, unlike the Ostrich and Flamingo, these birds have a very wide horizontal profile as well. So, if I shoot them horizontally and make the image close enough for the bird to fill the frame, most think that there is not enough leg space. Conversely, I make a vertical image within the same parameter then I get a response like yours. Worst of all, If I back up to let more space around the bird, the detail is lost. And, even worse, when shot in direct sunlight the black and whites have such high contrast the detail is lost as well. This is not a normal bird so IMHO it calls for out of the "norm" comps and light.

Best,

Jose

[Maxis Gamez]

Hi Maxis,

No I didn't for this setting. I happen to think the comp is as good as it gets. I'll explain. I've shot about 1500 images of these birds in the last three outings, from every possible angle, comp and exposure and examined them all very closely. Did you know that for their body size, they have the longest legs of any bird except for Flamingos? I couldn't believe that at first, thinking the Ostrich would be the winner there, but it's true. However, unlike the Ostrich and Flamingo, these birds have a very wide horizontal profile as well. So, if I shoot them horizontally and make the image close enough for the bird to fill the frame, most think that there is not enough leg space. Conversely, I make a vertical image within the same parameter then I get a response like yours. Worst of all, If I back up to let more space around the bird, the detail is lost. And, even worse, when shot in direct sunlight the black and whites have such high contrast the detail is lost as well. This is not a normal bird so IMHO it calls for out of the "norm" comps and light.

Best,

Jose

Hi Jose,

I didn't mean to get you upset or anything. I was simply asking a question. The bird is too tight in the frame, anybody will tell you that.

I haven't be able to photograph these birds but I can tell you that I will never crop or compose this tight, perhaps because I'm looking for a magazine cover type of image and work my way in.

I guess after 1500 images you are correct but I just don't see a reason not to try at least ONE image in horizontal.

Thank you.

[James Galletto]

I love the environment great shot.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great setting for this bird. I like the details and exposure control but it could go a bit brighter for my taste.

[paul leverington]

It's a beautiful shot as is Jose. Maybe - a tad tight-but since there are other elements within the frame that carry the weight of visual interest i don't feel too cramped. If you havesome canvas maybe add som back but if not I wouldn't worry.You are definitely showing a magenta -purple cast which at first I thought might be from the flowers but it's pretty strong, so maybe it's something else.

[Jose Suro]

It's a beautiful shot as is Jose. Maybe - a tad tight-but since there are other elements within the frame that carry the weight of visual interest i don't feel too cramped. If you havesome canvas maybe add som back but if not I wouldn't worry.You are definitely showing a magenta -purple cast which at first I thought might be from the flowers but it's pretty strong, so maybe it's something else.

Thanks for commenting Paul. Much appreciated. I checked the white and black points looking for a color cast and could not find one. The white point is 245:241:241 and the black point is 23:23:23. The back of the bird is the right color as well. Females are that way.

Thanks again!

Jose