Little Bee-eaters

Gallery: AvianPosted May 11, 2011118 views13 comments

Photo taken 02/16/2011 on a photo safari to Tanzania organized by Ray Barlow.
D300 and 500mm f/4+1.4x tc supported by a bean bag on the top of the Land Rover. ISO 500, f/7.1, 1/640s. Cropped to 70% of full-frame. Brightness, saturation and sharpening adjustments made to the birds and background separately. The head of the bird on the right is a little soft - a DOF problem.
Comments and suggestions desired.

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on May 11, 2011 at 7:57 PM

Such beautiful birds, nicely captured. I like the very complimentary background...it mimics the colors in the birds.

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

Comment posted by Dan Walters on May 11, 2011 at 8:31 PM

I like the background and the way the birds are looking in the same direction.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on May 11, 2011 at 8:42 PM

I can see the dof issue, David. But it is a fine image as presented. You got excellent head-turns from both the birds. I like your comp and both the light and background make this pair pop.

Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on May 12, 2011 at 1:16 AM

Oh, yikes - you got TWO of them - both in great poses - front and back - bright eyes, great colours...??
Yes, a bit of DOF issue - but excellent anyway.

Sandy

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on May 12, 2011 at 3:12 AM

What a handsome pair. I like the way they are both looking in the same direction. I agree with you that a bit more depth of field would have been ideal here. I will usually stop down about 2 stops when working with multiple birds that are close. It sounds like a fun trip, good to see you posting again.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on May 12, 2011 at 8:38 AM

Love the comp, perech and setting David

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Darren Colello on May 12, 2011 at 1:31 PM

This is absolutely lovely. I really like those poses, the bg, colours and fine detail. Well done!!!!

Registered on July 27, 2009, 175 Posts, 1100 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on May 12, 2011 at 6:27 PM

Beautifully captured pair David.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on May 12, 2011 at 9:55 PM

Beautiful, David. The softness is barely noticeable. Great composition and palette.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on May 13, 2011 at 10:30 AM

Beautiful colors and background. DOF is acceptable for me. Sharon

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

Comment posted by antino cervigni on May 14, 2011 at 12:51 PM

A superb shot...such clarity and detail...well done!

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on May 17, 2011 at 9:41 AM

What beautiful birds Dave! Great back to front poses and I really like the background. Agree with you about DOF but this is still a very nice image.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on May 24, 2011 at 10:15 AM

Both nicely in focus, not easy to do. Great comp and colors, love the poses that offer these two excellent front & back views.
Beautiful work David

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