Black Phoebe

Gallery: AvianPosted January 2, 2011149 views19 comments

Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans)

Place: Gilbert Water Rannch, AZ
Date: December 27, 2010
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
ISO 400, aperture priority matrix metered, 1/320th sec @ f/5.6, natural light no fill flash
Raw, PS CS3, Mac G4, 70% of full frame, one bright guano area cloned out from the post

Found this locally common bird on a low perch for a change (normally they sit very high or on the back side of a tree where I can't get to them) under a tree along the trail on a rare afternoon visit to the Water Ranch. I like the understated monotones of this bird and background. I don't mind the wood post because I find the texture interesting.

As always: honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. Please view the larger image before critiquing if possible.

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on January 2, 2011 at 5:51 PM

This is one of the first birds I tried to shoot. I really like the exposure and sharpness and the BG is outstanding. I like the bright ULC. This really picks up the personality of the Black Phoebe. This is a standard I will judge my shots against.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on January 2, 2011 at 7:25 PM

Looks great all the way around! Wonderful exposure!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on January 2, 2011 at 8:12 PM

Richard, apart from the great techs here, I really like the bg tones and that small shaft of light spilling onto the perch. Almost looks studio lit. Nice work.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 2, 2011 at 8:13 PM

Awesome exposure with fine details.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 2, 2011 at 8:23 PM

The post doesn't bother me in the least, although I'd personally clean up some of the "white stuff."
Nice pose for this handsome fellow, good eye, great BG, and the overall quality is very pleasing.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 2, 2011 at 8:32 PM

I especially like this light Richard.
When I view it large..well I'm there

Well done

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by richard remington on January 2, 2011 at 8:48 PM

Richard,

The feather detail is awesome. This is a world class shot that will inspire me when in the field.

Rick

Registered on March 12, 2010, 105 Posts, 368 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on January 2, 2011 at 9:04 PM

Wow, this is a really magnificent image. That overhead lighting dappling over the bird and the perch is so appealing. I like the dark moody tones. It feels quiet. Thank you for posting this.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 2, 2011 at 10:23 PM

Hi Richard: I really like the tones and the light on the Phoebe. The pose and look are great. I also really like the background. I'm not wild about the post as a perch. If the Phoebe was on a nice branch it would be even better. Still a wonderful capture.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 3, 2011 at 12:02 AM

Like the filtered light Richard

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on January 3, 2011 at 12:49 AM

Extraordinary light really makes this one special. Wouldn't change a thing.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 3, 2011 at 6:40 AM

Great exposure Rich. Detail is very nice in the larger version. I agree the post has character so it works for me as well.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on January 3, 2011 at 10:39 AM

Richard, the BG color really comliments this shot a lot and makes it unique from other shots of this species I have seen. Technically excellent (as usual).

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on January 3, 2011 at 2:41 PM

That wonderful catchlight really brings the eye out from the dark bird. Nice details in the feathers. I like the wooden perch too. Great character.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Andy Shepherd on January 3, 2011 at 3:33 PM

The lovely soft tones work well in this image, you have also done a very good job on the blacks of the Phoebe, good work IMO.

Andy...

Registered on September 24, 2006, 123 Posts, 1254 Comments

Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on January 4, 2011 at 12:58 PM

This is lovely, I like the colours and the lighting, all very pleasing on the eye.
Well captured.

Geoff.

Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on January 4, 2011 at 8:37 PM

This is so cool! What interesting lighting. Really like how the dappled lighting makes his head and eye pop.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 5, 2011 at 4:08 PM

Interesting small light beams to highlight items, I like the detail on the phoebe in the larger version and the background colors really help to bring out the bird.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 8, 2011 at 8:57 PM

This is an amazing shot, Richard. Instead of the shadow merely concealing detail and subtracting from the quality of the image it actually adds to image quality here. Detail is great and the look of the sky as well as the shadow and pose of the bird, combine to strongly project quite a serious mood.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments