Black Stork

Gallery: AvianPosted May 14, 201170 views7 comments

This is a half-captive, I mean it has been shot in a reservoir (Oasi di S. Alessio, Italy) but is free to leave when and where he wants (there's no badge to pass :D ). I think it could be considered free. What's your opinion?
Black stork is considered a Least Concern species, but the population trend is unknown an maybe it could be treated as Vulnerable.

I saw a picture of this pal (indeed i think it is exactly the same bird) posted some times ago in this gallery.

Compositionally I cut from the low side to remove a white stork belly BG, and cloned out a remaining part of it from the LLC. Some adjustments in PP consisting in selective lights and contrast and saturation.

Camera: Nikon D2Xs
iso: 400,
Aperture: f/4
S.S:1/640
W.B.: sunny,
Metering:matrix
Lens: AF-S Nikkor 200-400 f/4G ED VRII
VR: OFF - Manfrotto 190SHB tripod with Wimberley head

Comments and critiques very appreciated.

Cheers, Luca

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on May 15, 2011 at 12:46 AM

Beautiful iridescence in the stork's feathers, works nicely with the dark green background. Sometimes having the bird looking away can be effective, as here, suggests a submissive or shyness in the subject. I wonder a little if you need quite this much space at the top, think I would prefer more of the body and space at the bottom in lieu. Did you increase the light a lot in pp, the noise is quite significant especially in the larger view.

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

Comment posted by Monica Siri on May 15, 2011 at 12:01 PM

Luca,
the iridescence of the bird is very well captured and the background colors match perfectly with the subject.
I agree with Gary about the space on the top and the noise.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on May 15, 2011 at 7:12 PM

Beautiful bird. You have captured the iridescence well. I would work some on the noise and crop-this one is truly worth it. (By the way-this bird is free)

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on May 15, 2011 at 7:49 PM

Really nice iridescence here Luca. I agree with both suggestions - I think the noise is quite noticeable.

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

Comment posted by keith mitchell on May 17, 2011 at 2:52 AM

Luca you have got some very fine detail and caught the beautiful sheen on this bird .

Keith.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on May 17, 2011 at 8:00 AM

I like this a lot. I would work to reduce the noise, print and mount it so I could enjoy it daily.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Luca Mussato on May 17, 2011 at 3:11 PM

Many thanks to all of you for your honest opinions. I did some work to reduce the noise especially on the BG. About the suggestion of cropping from the top, i tried and it worked.
Thanks,
Luca

Registered on November 14, 2006, 118 Posts, 855 Comments