Peering in on a Yellow Crowned Night Heron

[Jim Poor]

This was made through a hole in some mangroves at Ding Darling during the IPT last month.

I think the oof foliage gives an intimate feeling like we're peering in on the bird from outside its home, which I suppose we were.

D300 200-400, hand held (thanks to Axel for giving me tips on the way he holds his 500, I managed to get some good images HH at low shutter speeds.)



Camera Make: NIKON CORPORATION
Camera Model: NIKON D300
Image Date: 2008:03:20 08:49:26
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 400.0mm (35mm equivalent: 600mm)
Exposure Time: 0.0080 s (1/125)
Aperture: f/4.0
ISO equiv: 200
Exposure Bias: -0.33
White Balance: Auto
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)

[Grace Scalzo]

Very clever image, Jim. The composition feels unbalanced to my eye, and I'd trim from the right. It looks like he may have been preening from the smudge on the end of the bill. I'd clean that up, but to each his own. I do like this alot.

[Jim Poor]

Thanks Grace. I did think about cleaning up the bill, but wasn't sure I wanted to tackle that task without my pen tablet at hand.
I'm sure most folks will agree with you on the crop from the right, but it comes out looking to square for me that way.

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

Nice unusual image,I really like the details and eye contact,I would prefer a bit crop at the top and right side

[Dave Shaw]

This is great! I wouldn't trim at all, I agree that I think it would be too square, plus too typical. The way you have this image framed makes it unique and I really like the out of focus foliage with just the bird in focus. Very nice and creative.

Dave Shaw
www.wildimagephoto.com

[Todd Frost]

Nice image Jim. Like the oof framing for the bird. How about this crop, it puts the eye at a pp and not square. I still prefer the original.

Todd

[Steve Ashton]

Hi Jim, I love your initial post. It has a Great feel of habitat. I am a big fan of this type of image.

Must be worth the time on the pen to sort out the bill. The second crop kills the shot for me.

[carole wiley]

I think this is a lovely image and to be honest, I kind of like the original better than the crop. The image as presented has a feeling of looking in on a hiding bird, being allowed a special intamacy as it were. I think you lose that if you make the bird bigger and more " in your face". It is a strong bird in a gentle setting and very enjoyable.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Hi Jim, the heron is quite sharp and stands out nicely against the surroundings. To be honest, I think most of the top right corner is excessive and could be cropped out (maybe somewhere between your original and Todd's repost). I like how the habitat looks like middle lower half. I do like the "peeking through" feel though.

[Harold Davis]

that's a beauty, jim!! awesome detail on the bird. i like the dirty beak. the crop aint bad neither in the original.

[Linda Robbins]

Unusual and very interesting image. My vote is for a crop in between the two.

[Jim Poor]

Thanks everyone. It is always interesting to read the different perspectives. What do you think about the idea of the space on the right being used for text as the intro to some sort of article?

[Gus Cobos]

Very nice Jim,
Like it alot...:D

[Grace Scalzo]

Jim, I meant "trim" when I said it. I think that the second crop is way too much. Great idea for the use of that extra space! Go for it.

[Steve Ashton]

Jim I would say your thinking like a pro.......