by Greg Morris
My first sighting of a Common Nighthawk. This was taken about 7:30pm, so I've posted it with the eyes shut since it was napping and not time to hunt yet. I did some selective dodging and burning in LR CC, however, I didn't try to do too much. I wanted to leave a little brightness to the wing as the sun was shining bright at the time. I did darken the post. All other adjustments made in LR CC as well. Overall I like the image. I think the perch is acceptable, the b/g is very good and the subject is sharp. I do believe some more sharpness may be able to be brought out in PS. I thought at first the head may be soft (hopefully someone with more experience can help me determine this), but my focus point was right on the eye and just a bit below.
I would appreciate comments and critiques having to do with sharpness or anything else.
Thanks in advance.
7D MKII, 500f4, 1/1600 @ f4, ISO 200, no flash, lens resting on mirror of car w/engine shut off.
Comments
8 commentsI don't see many images posted of these guys. It would have been nice if the eyes were open. But then again, if they had been, he probably would have been airborne. I like the background and perch. Well done.
The head looks sharp to my eye, Greg. Nice composition, perch and bg. I've only seen a couple of these (except soaring way up there) and it was before my bird photography days. You might keep your iso a bit higher and stop down a bit. That would give you a bit more leeway on dof. and might have put the perch in fairly crisp focus here.
Looks good to me, Greg. I' ve never seen one of these, so I appreciate the look.
I've never seen one either Greg. I would have preferred the eyes open too, but still a very cool image. Looks sharp to me and great background. Nice work!
I appreciate all of the comments. I have posted an image with the eye open. It is not fully open, so I really didn't like it at first, but I guess it's not too bad. I also have more depth of field with this one at 1/800 @f7.1 and ISO still at 200. I did some work on the post to give it some contrast (may have overdid it somewhat) and ran the image through NIK Color, Dfine and Sharpener. I am still learning those programs, but think they did help with the overall image. I think this image is a little sharper, but as I am looking at it right now it may be a little over saturated.
Please let me know what you think.
What amazing thing to have one sitting out the open like this ! Never seen one at daylight .. Congrats on this catch, and the shot is quite okay as well
, cheers, Hans
Amazing to find a Nighthawk out in the open like this. I prefer the first post; they should be closed in that much light. The bird is just a tiny bit too centered for my taste, but that's a personal preference. Nicely sharp thourghout to my eye.
We have a lot of these guys around here, Greg. I don't think I have ever seen one standing this tall and still having its eyes closed. They are usually hunkered down, or take off immediately when approached too closely. Congrats on getting your first one, and I hope you get many more.