Tricolored Heron on Nest

Gallery: AvianPosted April 11, 2012204 views11 comments

Canon EOS 7D
EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS @116mm
4/5/2012 – 6:27:45 PM
1/250 sec
Manual
f/5.6
ISO 400
Handheld
Rookery at St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Raw, LR3, CS5, 69% of full frame

And now for something completely different. ;)

These are my thoughts on this image, and you may disagree partially or completely (or you may agree).

f/5.6 isn't enough DOF to get the entire bird in focus because of the position of the bird lengthwise from me. But I wanted to try to get the background blurry enough for the image to work. It's the head and especially the face of the bird on the nest that I wanted to get, because I really like the way she looks.

For me the background is blurry enough, and I like the way the background more or less repeats the foreground, including the same kind of bird on the nest in the URC. I think maybe the foreground and background work to frame and keep the viewer's eye on or bring the viewer's eye back to the main subject.

I realize this image is very different from the last few images I posted from this location. When the smoke from the fires all around northeast Florida dissipates I'll be going back, and there may be lots of babies by then, and I'll be trying to work through more about foregrounds and backgrounds with that, which should be challenging. :)

Your comments, opinions and suggestions on the above or anything else, whether you agree or disagree with any of my thoughts, would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Scott Frye on April 11, 2012 at 1:34 PM

Amazing especially the larger version as the Tri-colored is separated nicely from the background. I like the green vegetation in the foreground and the bird is colorful and sharp. It all works for me

Registered on February 3, 2007, 387 Posts, 1136 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on April 11, 2012 at 2:50 PM

Barbara: I think this is a nice image. You've done a nice job choosing an aperture that provides enough depth for the main subject, while trying to keep the distractions to a minimum. The OOF heron in the background is fine for me. Doesn't really add or subtract to the image. Exposure looks great. Nice one.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on April 11, 2012 at 4:47 PM

I'm fine with everything here as well. The IQ on the heron is first rate: detail, sharpness, colors, exposure.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on April 11, 2012 at 4:54 PM

Really nice as posted Barbara. Love the detail on the main subject and I actually feel the OOF heron in the BG adds to the sense that this is a rookery setting.

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

Comment posted by Ron Huff on April 11, 2012 at 6:47 PM

Well done. I agree with you, it all works.

Ron Huff

Registered on August 31, 2010, 69 Posts, 440 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on April 11, 2012 at 8:44 PM

I think the dof on the bird is fine. I love the crown raised and the head tilt. I'd be tempted to remove the white crown of the oof bird in the bg right side.

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on April 11, 2012 at 9:55 PM

This works very well for me, Barbara. The "motherly" look combined with the punk hairdo makes an interesting subject (a bit anthropomorphic, I know, but we see things based on our experience). Your choice of dof looks spot on to me.

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

Comment posted by Harry Harris on April 11, 2012 at 9:59 PM

Barbara, I think what you tried to accomplish was achieved. Great image.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on April 11, 2012 at 10:44 PM

Barbara,
This image is very sharp where it needs to be sharp. If you had more depth of field in this the blurred backdrop would become quite a mess so I think you did really well opening up to 5.6. Agree with your assessment 100%.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on April 12, 2012 at 8:36 AM

I think you've done really well here Barbara and I like your compositional choice, the great detail in the bird's face, and the attentive pose.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on April 13, 2012 at 10:58 PM

The large version is enjoyable, the face really catches your attention, great detail. If there's anything you could do to tone down the white area just to the right of the bird, I think that would improve this.

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