Posted by Jeff Harrison on September 23, 2010 at 6:02 AM
Here's another from my continuing quest for 'different' Kingfisher images.
Head-on shots of Kingfishers (or indeed any bird) don't normally work for me but I feel the fish gives this one an important added element.
It was taken (from a hide) at a nest site situated in deep shade and where the parent birds typically used this natural perch on 1 in 3 of their feeding visits.
Having visited the site on numerous occasions - always arriving during total darkness before dawn - I knew that as the sun came up each day (but only for a very brief period of time) a thin ray of sunlight illuminated this branch.
As we all know, wildlife rarely does exactly what we want/hope it to do and I had to wait for several mornings before one of the birds turned up at the right place at the right time.
This is the image I had been waiting for - I have added some vignetting and have left the slightly blown highlights on the feather on the left side of the image in order to try to emphasise the lighting conditions to the viewer.
I'm aware that the image may appear a little over-sharpened for web viewing but does it work compositionally?
As ever, all c&c most welcome.
Taken with Canon EOS 30D and Canon 70-200 L IS lens at 200mm, f/8, 1/250th sec, ISO400, Ev metering with -1/3 exp comp and autoWB
Posted by Rob Fisher on September 23, 2010 at 8:31 AM
Love it Jeff.
Composition is spot on. I like the sliver of sunlight outlining the branch as it extends into the frame.
Posted by Jeff Harrison on September 23, 2010 at 8:33 AM
On further reflection and on seeing the image here on the forum I think the vignetting may have darkened the image a little too much. Here's a lighter version.
Any feedback would be most welcome
Posted by Neil Burton on September 23, 2010 at 8:50 AM
I think darker works better, the lighter image has more distraction in the BG (and noise).
Posted by Richard Peters on September 23, 2010 at 9:21 AM
I'd go for somewhere between the two. Top image is too dark and bottom is too light. With the right processing this will be a winner!
Posted by Barry Southon on September 23, 2010 at 12:33 PM
Jeff
As is every time for me magic light put to great effect.
Posted by Andy Shepherd on September 23, 2010 at 1:09 PM
I agree with RP, somewhere between the two for me too, it's certainly different from the usual Kingfisher shots we see on here; mine included. I also think your right about the head on POV, the fish certainly adds a great deal of interest. Like it lots Jeff.
Andy...
Posted by Craig Jones on September 23, 2010 at 1:12 PM
Very different Jeff and the better for it I like the first,love the composition and the perch going off to the right I'm hooked on these little birds as they have bags of character and are beautiful, I still laugh when I see those tiny 'slipper' like orange feet
Posted by Geoffrey Baker on September 23, 2010 at 1:25 PM
Great shots
Somewhere between the two for me too.
Well captured.
Geoff.
Discussion
12 repliesHead-on shots of Kingfishers (or indeed any bird) don't normally work for me but I feel the fish gives this one an important added element.
It was taken (from a hide) at a nest site situated in deep shade and where the parent birds typically used this natural perch on 1 in 3 of their feeding visits.
Having visited the site on numerous occasions - always arriving during total darkness before dawn - I knew that as the sun came up each day (but only for a very brief period of time) a thin ray of sunlight illuminated this branch.
As we all know, wildlife rarely does exactly what we want/hope it to do and I had to wait for several mornings before one of the birds turned up at the right place at the right time.
This is the image I had been waiting for - I have added some vignetting and have left the slightly blown highlights on the feather on the left side of the image in order to try to emphasise the lighting conditions to the viewer.
I'm aware that the image may appear a little over-sharpened for web viewing but does it work compositionally?
As ever, all c&c most welcome.
Taken with Canon EOS 30D and Canon 70-200 L IS lens at 200mm, f/8, 1/250th sec, ISO400, Ev metering with -1/3 exp comp and autoWB
Composition is spot on. I like the sliver of sunlight outlining the branch as it extends into the frame.
Any feedback would be most welcome
As is every time for me magic light put to great effect.
I agree with RP, somewhere between the two for me too, it's certainly different from the usual Kingfisher shots we see on here; mine included. I also think your right about the head on POV, the fish certainly adds a great deal of interest. Like it lots Jeff.
Andy...
Somewhere between the two for me too.
Well captured.
Geoff.
Phil.
I sent you an email a while ago Jeff, did you get it?
David
Lee