Frigatebird Sunrise

Gallery: AvianPosted January 27, 2015153 views10 comments

This was from our final morning in the Galapagos, during which we had a really beautiful sunrise. Frigatebirds were already active, circling along the coastline. I tried to capture some silhouettes as the sun was ascending, with very mixed results.

Very few times did I actually get a flying bird in the frame in the right spot and with the right pose... and even then I felt I shot it a bit too tight (thus the lack of canvas at the top... I had to correct for a crooked horizon). I was also dealing with a lens flare issue that I'm still puzzled about (if you have feedback in the linked thread, I'd love to hear it).

Anyway, this shot still appeals to me, even if it didn't work out quite as crisp and clean as I'd liked.

Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 70-200mm 2.8 IS II + 1.4x
ISO 400
1/2000th
f/8

Max

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 27, 2015 at 8:36 PM

So artistic and expertly done. The way the two birds are positioned and facing the same way, the sun in the middle nestled amongst some clouds, and the way that bird is flying in. Wow.

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

Comment posted by David Haynes on January 27, 2015 at 9:35 PM

Max,
This is really a fine take on a silhouette. Would love to see a larger version. The colors just pop. Reminds me of Halloween. I really like the square crop you've chosen here. Hope you got some more great images while in the Galapagos. Sounds like a dream trip Max. :)

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on January 28, 2015 at 7:59 AM

Your persistence paid off beautifully Max

I don't think the flare is a problem here, it looks very natural to me. The bird in flight is positioned in the frame perfectly, along with a great wing spread and fanned tail.

Sweet Photo

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on January 28, 2015 at 8:09 AM

I think this is great. The flying bird silhouette is just amazing. Nice capture.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 28, 2015 at 10:26 AM

Oh my.... love the graphic elements of this image. Tells a very strong story. Your planning paid off nicely. I don't mind the tight framing at the top. Nicely done.

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

Comment posted by Lucy VanSwearingen on January 28, 2015 at 8:20 PM

very bold colors and comp

Only nit would be the white outlines in some places on each bird. I use Topaz clean to fix this type of image.

Registered on May 23, 2009, 800 Posts, 2042 Comments

Comment posted by John Launstein on January 28, 2015 at 11:35 PM

Way cool, Max! Hard to believe this is a single capture it's so perfectly composed and shot (but I of course know that it is)...harder to find a thing to suggest as improvement. Phenomenal.

Registered on April 5, 2011, 223 Posts, 1193 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 29, 2015 at 12:51 AM

Great combination of silhouettes Max

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on January 29, 2015 at 9:51 PM

I really like the comp on this one Max. Really well seen and executed. I agree a bit more canvas up top would be prime, but I don't think it's going to hurt people's reaction to this much. This tells a great story and has a big impact in my opinion. Very nice work!

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 31, 2015 at 5:30 PM

this is awesome, Max. well-conceived and well-executed. this would be really nice even without the bird in flight--what a great touch.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments