White-bellied Sea Eagle

Paul Burdett · Apr 17, 2021

Paul Burdett
Copyright 2021 Paul Burdett, All rights reserved.
NIKON D500 Ver.1.30

Just back from 2 days away at my favourite location for Ospreys, Sea eagles and Brahminy Kites (1.5 hours from home). Took over 1000 photos...here's one taken one hour before full sunset. I was able to capture this WBSE at various distance away (some full in the frame, some not so), but I quite like this view. (not so happy with the shadow, but from the viewing platform the sun was not quite behind me) No crop here.

D500/500PF, 1/4000th [email protected], iso1000.

John Mack · Apr 17, 2021

Nice and sharp. The light is very nice. Good detail on the bird as well. Love a dorsal view like this. I like the feather pattern.

Paul Burdett · Apr 17, 2021

Thanks John. I must admit that the only thing that bugs me is the shadow (just added that comment in my original post).

dankearl · Apr 17, 2021

This is a very cool image, Paul, has its flaws but the face and beak are nice... run some more NR on the BG.

Paul Burdett · Apr 17, 2021

Thanks Dan. Maybe some very minor noise at 200%, but an easy fix. I also went back and removed the faint halo around the top of the bird's beak.

Colin Driscoll · Apr 18, 2021

Very close! Great head, beak and back detail and very nice light. Maybe a bit of work on those shadows in the BG would soften them.

Paul Burdett · Apr 18, 2021

Hi Colin. Thank you for the feedback and suggestion...it's appreciated.

kevin Hice · Apr 18, 2021

Paul I love this. My wish is you didn't have all the darks. Don't know if you can do anything with this. I'm not that great in PS. That beak and face,eyes just fantastic with the light. Even the feathers going down the back lovely. TFS

gail bisson · Apr 18, 2021

The way the light hits the face is really nice.
Perfect HA.
Nothing you can do about the shadows.
Gail

Arthur Morris · Apr 18, 2021

Great bird, sharp, sweet light, and a perfect exposure. But the shadows make this on an insta-delete for me.

with love, artie

William Dickson · Apr 18, 2021

I can see the attraction of this image Paul....The head area....Lovely light, detail and eye perfect....The shadows and position of the near wing are a bummer.

Will

Paul Burdett · Apr 18, 2021

Thank you all for the feedback...much appreciated.
Artie: Yes, even though the shadows are not ideal I'm ok with them. Certainly not an insta-delete for me, as I only got 2 shots at this distance, and I really like the the image.

Arthur Morris · Apr 19, 2021

Paul Burdett
Copyright 2021 Paul Burdett, All rights reserved.
NIKON D500 Ver.1.30

The shadow by itself is not too, too bad. It is the cross-hatched lattice work that seems to indicate a manmade structure that kills the image for me. So, I smoothed out some of the black stuff below and in front of the bird and came up with an idea for a repost ...
with love, a

Arthur Morris · Apr 19, 2021

ps: DeNoise AI on the background is much needed.

a

Paul Burdett · Apr 19, 2021

Thanks Artie. Thank you for taking the time to edit...much appreciated. Interesting crop...I thought of 16x9 at first, but settled on the posted crop. I do like the smoothing you did, thank you. I did run Topaz DN, but maybe more BG NR needed as you say. Hoping to get back to the same location soon. Cheers.

Brian Sump · Apr 19, 2021

Paul, the head and lighting from there up is about as nice as it gets. Beautifully processed.

I am not even sure the shadows would have been as much an issue from my view had the wing extended down through the lower portion of the frame. Dramatic lighting can have an impact, of course depending on the rest of the frame.

So many of the right pieces on this one. Keep pushing my friend, it's fun to watch you improve!

Paul Burdett · Apr 19, 2021

Brian: Thank you so much for the feedback, I really appreciate it.

Andreas Liedmann · Apr 20, 2021

Hi Paul indeed a very nice and intense frame you posted .
Works for me as presented , like the IQ ... :w3

TFS Andreas

Paul Burdett · Apr 20, 2021

Hi Andreas...thank you. Your feedback is appreciated as always. Cheers.

White-bellied Sea Eagle

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