Eastern Kingbird

Gallery: AvianPosted May 5, 2011148 views14 comments

Was happy to get this Eastern Kingbird shot this afternoon after a not-so-successful time down in Florida looking for stuff to photograph. This is the first time I've seen this species at the grasslands location I visit so it was a real treat. I wish however that I'd shot this @ f/6.7 and ISO 320 but the bokeh is suitable.

Nikon D300s 300 f4 + 1.7X TC HH from vehicle
f/8
1/1250s
ISO 500
-.33 EC

Cropped to 75% for compositional purposes, minor levels adjustment, sharpened using smart sharpen and USM, noise reduction on BG all in CS5 on 27" iMac

- Luke

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on May 5, 2011 at 11:40 PM

Hi Luke: I like this image. The composition with the great perch really makes this work. Nice details. I might think about taking just a bit off the top and just a touch more off the right. Just a personal preference. Nice image.

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

Comment posted by Robert Holguin on May 6, 2011 at 1:56 AM

Wonderful pic. Great composition and exposed wonderfully. Great background, pose and perch. Well done.

Registered on January 25, 2011, 44 Posts, 294 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on May 6, 2011 at 6:54 AM

Love the comp Luke. Great perch with the nice curve and a super BG. Curious why you use both smart sharpen and USM.

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

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on May 6, 2011 at 8:01 AM

Nice perch, pose and detail. I might place the bird a tad higher in the frame. Sharon

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on May 6, 2011 at 9:11 AM

Ron,

Another photographer who I asked how they got their images so sharp said they used smart sharpen and USM. I tried it out and liked the results - I feel that USM gives a finer, subtler sharpening effect (at least how I use it) and use it as more of a refining sharpening tool.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on May 6, 2011 at 9:39 AM

The techs look very good Luke, nice details.
Like the perch & overall comp too.
In a perfect world I suppose a smaller aperture would be better with regards to BG, but this look just fine as posted.

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

Comment posted by Richard Hahn on May 6, 2011 at 1:47 PM

Luke,

Great shot & welcome back. A would presume by your post the photo ops were not to good in Florida.

Registered on August 16, 2007, 14 Posts, 151 Comments

Comment posted by antino cervigni on May 6, 2011 at 1:48 PM

Excellent shot. Regards Antino

Registered on April 17, 2010, 70 Posts, 202 Comments

Comment posted by David E Lester on May 6, 2011 at 5:34 PM

Nice capture, no nits here !!

Registered on March 24, 2010, 155 Posts, 793 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on May 6, 2011 at 10:00 PM

Love the comp you have chosen. Giving us the entire perch and a smaller bird was a good choice. Nicely done.

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

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on May 7, 2011 at 2:23 AM

Very nice composition Luke, still allowing good detail in the plumage and feathers :^)