Caracara Chase

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

caracarawhitethroated0525patagonia27.jpg
caracarawhitethroated0525patagonia27.jpg1024×728 179 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

I’ve recently returned from my latest Patagonia adventure. We had a fair bit of caracara action this time, thanks to some kills made by pumas. There were good sightings of the three main caracara species found in this region, and here we have two of them: two White-throated Caracaras chasing a larger Southern Crested Caracara.

I have some other frames from this chase that worked fine in color—the birds have some nice yellow on the face that pops well—but this was an immediate choice for monochrome in my mind. The placement of the subjects combined with the bold striping on the wings and tails led me to emphasize the shapes and textures with black and white.

Technical Details

Canon R3
Canon 100-500
ISO 2000
1/8000th
f/4.5

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1 Like
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The B&W works very well for me, Max. The line-up of the three birds is what this is all about and anything that distracts from that, including excessive attention to the details of the birds, takes away from the essentially graphic nature of this image. A wonderful catch and excellent processing.

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3

Great Image B&W really works for this Composition. Amazing feathers and great contrast

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4

Hi Max. This is a superb photograph! It’s amazing how a single photograph, taken at 1/8000th second, can create such a powerful illusion of motion.

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5

It’s amazing how a single photograph, taken at 1/8000th second

Russell, thank you. I was rushing a bit. There was time to crank the ISO, but I didn’t bother worrying about the aperture. Had I taken more time to think about it in the moment, I likely would’ve stopped down a bit, as I often do with BiF (and as in this case, with multiple subjects), in order to get them all sharper. However, I think the wide aperture actually helps here since they’re in a staggered formation. It helps draw the eye to the foreground, so now I’m glad I didn’t have more time to think! :wink:

6

Hi Max, great rendition of this trio. Love the repeating wing pattern in each and the black and white creates a wonderful starkness. Terrific image.

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7

Perfect in B&W! Very compelling image. The juxtapositions of the birds is riveting, in the obvious chase.
Well-done!

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8

Great choice for black and white, Max. The wing detail really shows through and high key works well.

1 Like