The Conference

[Rachel Hollander]

Not sure which forum this belongs in because it has both wildlife and avian elements. I know the HA police aren't going to be happy but I always kind of liked this because of the presence of both animals and it appears as if they are looking at the same thing and discussing it. I'm interested to hear what others think.

Taken in the Galapagos Islands on Espanola in April 2009. I've been revisiting some of my images now that I have CS5 and have gotten more comfortable with it.

Canon 50D
100-400 @ 400mm
1/800
f10
ISO 400
HH, levels and curves adjustment, some oof, distracting foliage removed from the fg and right edge, sharpened in CS5.

C&C welcome and appreciated. Thanks,

Rachel

[Joel Eade]

Certainly an unusual image....I agree with you, the HA doesn't really bother me in the scene as presented but it might if the bird were alone. Looks like there was just too much distance between them to get them both in focus. The exposure and sharpness are excellent.

I might be tempted to remove some of the foliage just above the bird's head too.

[Kerry Perkins]

Hi Rachel, if you had a dinosaur in there the lineage would be complete... Good comments by Joel, the lizard is really too soft. You don't get much DOF with a telephoto, especially at close distances.

[Cathy McEntee]

Hi Rachel - interesting photo--I like it. It certainly looks like something has their attention and the bird is vocal about it. As mentioned, too bad the lizard is not more in focus. That must have been a great trip.

[gary ellwein]

Hello Rachel, I can appreciate what you attempted with this image. Like the bird, not too keen on the lizard. This could be a CS5 skills project. Vertical crop, remove the residual lizard and some of the bg vegetation as per Joel's suggestion.

Gary

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Good comments from Joel. Other options for DoF would have been a smaller aperture (larger number) and to focus in between and try split the difference. I have seen Artie do this with long bird bills. Anyway, as yo might know I love different images and what a thrill to visit the Galapagos - who did you travel with?

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks everyone for the comments and suggestions. Jeff - I went with Quasar Expeditions. At the time it was one of the few that visited Espanola, Genovesa and the western islands of Isabela and Fernandina in a one week trip.

Thanks again,
Rachel