RT Hawk Portrait

I agree, Craig, this portrait format works well here. NIce color and detail too. I see no influence of the large crop. Also, the duck wing is much better left in. It's really not noticeable and cloning it out would have meant generating new bird image pixels. This bird looks like it wants to make it up close and personal. Very communicative shot.

Couldn't make out the Duck's wingtip 'til I opened the larger version, and even now it's not something that draws my attention away from the superb features you've captured in this portrait Craig, a real pleasure to look at, thanks for sharing :^)

Excellent portrait of one of my favorite subjects. The feather details are incredible.

Ray

Excellent detail for 600mm and 1/80 sec. Lovely portrait. Since you have this listed for purchase, I wonder if you have examined a print made from the 35% of original crop?

Beautiful - soft colours yet fine detail, especially for the degree of crop. .
Great pose and comp - the bit of wing doesn't bother me at all - didn't really even notice it. If it really bugs you, carefluy cloning would get rid of it.

HOW do you manage a 600mm in a car seat?? I have enough trouble with my 500!

Sandy

David, as a matter of fact I had an 8x12 printed for a customer and was amazed at the clarity and sharpness (I used NIK's DFine 2.0 for noise elimination.) I have also been pleased with results at 12x18". My next normal size would be 20x30" and their is some noise and slight loos of detail. I haven't printed this at 20x30 but feel it would still be very presentable since this larger size is normally viewed at a bit of distance.

Sandy, I only wish your 500lmm was available back when I purchased the 600. The 600 with camera, dbl battery grip and a TC runs about 25lbs. With the weight and rotator cuff injuries I find hand holding for inflight shots almost impossible. Inside the car I have used it a lot resting on a beanbag and I raise and lower with with the cars window, using the centered lens and camera to balance and shoot. This came with much practice on our Nat'l Wildlife Refuge that does not permit exiting of your car from Sep thru May. For beginner "auto photographers" turn your engine off to reduce any vibration. For shots from the passenger/right side window, another beanbag rides on that open window and I use a board about 4 ft long wrapped with pipe insulation and one end placed under the headrest the other end on the dash. Then for passenger/right side shots the long lens can be hoisted up with the camera end of the lens resting on the foam covered board (2"x1") and the far lens opening resting on the window beanbag. This may seem awkward but it gives you a chance at shots out of the right side. It also moves the passenger into the "Back seat!"

Craig wrote:
David, as a matter of fact I had an 8x12 printed for a customer and was amazed at the clarity and sharpness (I used NIK's DFine 2.0 for noise elimination.) I have also been pleased with results at 12x18". My next normal size would be 20x30" and their is some noise and slight loos of detail. I haven't printed this at 20x30 but feel it would still be very presentable since this larger size is normally viewed at a bit of distance.

Craig:
Thanks for the feedback. I don't have a printer for 12x18 or larger and was thinking of sending a couple of mine off to be printed. They are not full frame shots, so I was wondering what your experience had been.

I like the crop and think you cut it off just right at the bottom. The billowing feathers work nicely too.

Beautiful, Craig. I love the subtle lighting in this image.