Avocet Kiss

Stephen Cunliffe · Jun 19, 2009

Canon EOS 50D
ƒ/4
400mm
1/640s
ISO 200
Flash not fired
Wed, 22 April 2009 9:07 AM

I needed to dial in quite a lot of exposure compensation to allow for the water being brighter than the bird.
Canon 50D
400mm IS DO
ISO 200
f/4 @ 1/640
evaluative metering +1.7

would greatly appreciate suggestions for improvement.

Juan Aragonés · Jun 19, 2009

Excelent exposure job (I am a big fan of white BG when they are well exposed, like in this case). I like the simmetry of the image and the mirror like reflection in the calm water. I only wish for a litle bit more room at th eright and perhaps a litle increase in saturation beacuse the image looks a bit flat. Very, very good job Stephen

Doug Brown · Jun 19, 2009

The mood of the image is very serene. You did well with the +EC. Juan makes some excellent points. I think the best way to correct for what Juan describes as a flat image is to boost contrast. Although I didn't add canvas (which I would also recommend), here's a repost with the contrast slider boosted by 36 in PS. I also wish there was a little more life in the eye.

Aidan Briggs · Jun 19, 2009

Nice calm image. I might have used fill flash to get a catchlight though. Doug's repost is better. With the 50D, I find I am always adding +EC, even in direct sunlight: the 50D just seems to need a lot of extra light.

Dave Leroy · Jun 19, 2009

I really like the symmetry in this photo. It just seems to need a bit of pop to put it over the top for me. Excellent timing. Well done. Dave

Randy Stout · Jun 19, 2009

Stephen:

Lovely, contemplative image. Agree with the techs mentioned. I like the increased contrast approach best I think. Excellent shooting angle for generating a good reflection.

Aidan, although flash would have given you a catchlight, it might have caused some issues with reflections off the water onto the body of the bird that looked unnatural. Would have been interesting to see the effect however.

Cheers

Randy

Axel Hildebrandt · Jun 19, 2009

I like the serene mood, reflection and the tip of the bill touching the water. Good suggestions above regarding more canvas on the right, contrast boost and I might try a midtone adjustment to 0.85 or so.

Stu Bowie · Jun 20, 2009

Super angle for a perfect reflection. Everything pretty much covered, so just adding my very well done.

Morkel Erasmus · Jun 20, 2009

I love reflection shots, and I adore this one!! I think the suggestions of the others have worked well. super shot!

Bob Blanchard · Oct 27, 2009

Well Well! Congrats Stephen! I just noticed that this image is a finalist this year in Canon's Photography in the parks contest! Somehow I knew I'd find the photographer over here in BPN! Best of luck to you in the voting!

Scott Christy · Jan 27, 2012

Not sure if this thread is still active, but I wanted to applaud Mr Cunliff. I saw this photograph a year ago in a gallery in Port Townsend and wished I had bought it then. The weekend after New Years I happened to wander into the same gallery and was pleased to see it again. This time it came home with me. Beautiful image, and I'm delighted to own a print...

Avocet Kiss

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