ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK

[gary ellwein]

I was able to get within 12 meters of this rough-legged hawk on the causeway to Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake. Unfortunately, it was perched on a road sign. I did not want to include the sign and elected to present the subject as a portrait. D3s, Nikkor 600mm, 1.4TC, f5.6, 1/250, iso 400, EV +1.0, bean bag on truck window, heavy over cast. Portraits are new for me. C & C appreciated.

Gary

[pat lillich]

beautiful portrait Gary, I love the orange line of his mouth, the sharpness of his beak and the detail of his eye. Would like to see a little more sharpening, and maybe a little eye work to make it stand out a little bit more? Congratulations - beautiful capture.

(by the way - Kerry suggested I tone down the bright background on a picture of mine, and I was surprised that such a tiny difference was that much less distracting- don't know if you might want to try that)

[Michael Gerald-Yamasaki]

Gary,

Greetings. ISO1600 gets you to 1/1000 (w/ D3S even ISO3200 for 1/2000)... would be my choice, for the fine feather detail needed for portrait. Eye could use some contrast and the image overall sharpening. A little canvas on the right, a little less on the top works for me.

Good pose on a cool subject.

Cheers,

-Michael-

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Gary,

I like portraits and as you know, I often post them myself. The composition works for me in several ways - first the serious regal look makes a strong portrait and second the HA is spot on.

Good comments above, the image seems a bit lacking in color depth and sharpness. Agree with the ISO math, the Nikon can support much higher ranges and that will help with higher shutter or wider aperture. I might work the image's mid-tones and hit some selective sharpness to enhance its imact. What a beautiful creature and nice field technique getting that close. Good work please keep em coming.

[nancy hazen]

Beautiful portrait, but I agree about toning down the BG. Great image of the Hawk.

[Kerry Perkins]

Hi Gary, very nice portrait - love the colors, exposure, and composition. Good comments and advice above for fine-tuning this one. D3s is more than capable of the ISO range you could have used to get a better shutter speed.

[gary ellwein]

Thanks to all for your C & C. I have been away since this post. I have attempted to implement the suggestions. I would appreciate some direction on darkening the bg.

Gary