View Full Version : Burchell's Coucal (High Key)
Morkel Erasmus
04-08-2012, 06:06 AM
This elusive bird is rarely seen as out in the open as this. The weather was abysmal, but provided me with an opportunity to create a high-impact high key rendition, enhanced by the wet look of his plumage after the previous night's incessant rain.
Taken recently in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa.
Techs:
Nikon D3s with Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
f4.0 @ 1/500 SS @ ISO-2500
handheld
EV +1.7
I don't normally go for a square crop but I did it here to maximise detail at web size and to limit the amount of dead space.
gail bisson
04-08-2012, 08:43 AM
Hi Morkel,
This is great. Very rare to see this coucal much less photograph one out in the open. Love the cocked tail and head position. I like square comps so am happy with this! Good detail at ISO 2500. I know you don't clone but guess what I want cloned out!!!:t3
Gail
Stu Bowie
04-08-2012, 09:01 AM
Hi Mork, super look-back pose, and this is incredibly sharp. I really like the high key effect in this, and the colours of the coucal pop so well. If this were mine, I would have gone with a traditional landscape comp. :w3
Bill Holsten
04-08-2012, 09:52 AM
Great pose and detail, Morkel. You did a good job of keeping the whole bird in the focal plane. Coucals always look to me like they could benefit from a visit to the barber shop.
Bill
dankearl
04-08-2012, 11:14 AM
Wild looking bird, Morkel. The high key looks nice.
i also think you could crop off the bottom and have a traditional comp.
Frank Schauf
04-08-2012, 12:27 PM
Nice portrait, great details and sharpness.
Randy Stout
04-08-2012, 04:17 PM
Morkel:
I don't mind squarish crops if the lines inside the frame add some interest, and the way the birds lines/angles work with the frame is fine for me. You could crop a sliver off top however.
I like the well controlled noise, wet plumage, eye, pose.
Yes, could clone out the snag.
Cheers
Randy
Sid Garige
04-08-2012, 07:54 PM
Killer high key image Morkel.
Arno Ellmer
04-08-2012, 11:35 PM
A very creative image under extreme conditions,Morkel ! I love the pose and the sharpness .
supreet.sahoo
04-09-2012, 05:47 AM
High key images have always been something that has me interested. This one specially is a really detailed one. I have grown up in India watching the indian cousins of this bird (Greater Coucal). Wonderful bird and a really good image.
Morkel Erasmus
04-09-2012, 07:24 AM
Thanks for the kind feedback, folks.
:bg3:
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