Dcc

[Leroy Laverman]

I like the pose of the bird in this one. This is about a 50% crop from the full frame but I don't have longer glass than my trusty 80-200. I know the light is horrible but my only break today was at 1:30 in the afternoon and being out looking for birds beats sitting in my office and eating lunch.

I had a general question concerning black birds and exposure. How much do you compensate for the black feathers? I can lighten the feathers quite a bit either in post processing or by increasing the original exposure but to really see the details it looks washed out and unnatural. Is there a way to work this or should I really just wait for better light? Thanks in advance.

Technical Bits
Nikon D80
Nikon 80-200mm 1:2.8 + Tamron 1.4TC (at 200mm)
ISO 200 f/6.3 1/250 sec
Center weighted metering, +1.0 eV compensation.

[Maxis Gamez]

Hi Leroy,

Very harsh light with a very strong blue cast on this one. The pose is elegant for the harsh light and hot whites kills this image.

As far as your question goes, it all depends on the light. Sometimes I go as much as 1 1/12 stops. Remember cloudy weather works too!! :)

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Leroy,
Love your composition and subject placement, also the expression on his face. Must agree with Maxis about the harsh light. Outside of this, I like it...:D

[Leroy Laverman]

Cloudy weather would be great - it's just that we don't get clouds in Santa Barbara all that often. When the clouds do come they usually bring massive downpours along with them. It's a constant problem for photography here. Oh well, at least I don't have to shovel snow :)

[Linda Robbins]

The pose is so wonderful - love the prominent crests - it is is a shame that the light was so harsh. The contrasty light and hot whites that resulted can't be avoided. Harsh light is especially tough with black or white birds. At least you are out and about with a camera at lunch instead of being cooped up in your office. Bring a macro lens and a diffuser to work on sunny days!