Crane Portrait

Gallery: AvianPosted February 3, 201169 views9 comments

While at Bosque I spent some time working on portraits of up-close cranes. I love the close look at the eye and other detail that is more easily seen in a portrait. The challenge is finding a pleasing composition, and I'm curious how people feel about this.

Your comments and critiques are appreciated. Please view the larger version if possible.

Canon 7D, 500mm + 1.4xTC, tripod

f/8, 1/2000, ISO 500

crop to 79% (14.3 of 18MP)

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 3, 2011 at 8:14 PM

Well, the detail in the larger verson such is awesome. Great light and colors too. I like the comp and the exposure is right on. The drop of water on the end of the bill is icing. My only very small nit is the crane right behind the back of the subject. I really think the comp would be stronger without it there. Now I def understand that getting birds separated enough to achieve a lone subject is often times almost impossible. Very nice as posted.

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

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on February 3, 2011 at 8:57 PM

Beautiful colors and detail on this. I don't mnd the other cranes in the bg...they help lend the feeling of being in the crowd. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on February 4, 2011 at 5:58 AM

This is so beautiful and clear, Brian, and I love the comp.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 4, 2011 at 7:33 AM

Brian,

The light in this image is gorgeous, the larger version shows wonderful details & sharoness, thanks for posting it. I love the warm tones of the crane against the cool blues in the water, a very nice color contrast. I might consider a small crop from the top to just above the primary birds back to minimize the oof crane at the top left of the frame. Otherwise I find the comp to have an intimate feel to it.

Thanks for your comment & the links you left on my Bye bye Blackbird blog post. I'll have time to look at those today.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on February 4, 2011 at 9:26 AM

Great light and very nice detail. I'm not sure about the composition...
Anyway very good as posted.
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on February 4, 2011 at 9:41 AM

The lighting and detail are great on this one, Brian. This is a tough one for a comp decision. I agree that the crane in back should go. Also, the near leg is so prominent that at first glance of the image looks amputated. I think on this one I'd either (1) clone out the back crane and reduce exposure on the water around the immersed leg so it's more obviously submerged or (2) crop to the vertical removing the back crane and leg. Lovely shot. Interesting problem.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 4, 2011 at 1:14 PM

Lovely light; excelent detail. But this composition doesn't work for me: it feels unbalanced.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on February 5, 2011 at 10:37 PM

Hi Brian

Wow!!! watching the larger photo, i thought the Crane would come through the monitor

Wonderful color and detail!!!Would have croped the top of the frame right to the back of the bird.
Albert Darmo. Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 8, 2011 at 11:17 AM

Excellent detail on the larger version, I like that you can even see the water drop at the end of the bill. The other birds do not bother me as my eyes went right for the crane and this composition looks fine to me, well done.

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