# Kingfisher **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** birds\ **Created:** [August 7, 2021, 2:41pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/kingfisher/23595 "2021-08-07T14:41:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johan\_Lennartsson](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/johan_lennartsson/32/30919_2.png) [@Johan\_Lennartsson](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Johan_Lennartsson)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 2:41pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/kingfisher/23595/1 "2021-08-07T14:41:22Z")
![Kingfisher](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/3/f/3fcf39786a807a6604e2905488d0eb926abfb184.jpeg) After some research on a location with Kingfisher close to my work I managed to find their nest. After arriving at the location I only had to wait for a few minutes before a kingfisher arrived and sat down on a branch in the side light. A bit challenging to photograph as the bright parts of the bird were very bright and the background very dark - but at the same time it highlights the bird in a nice way. I like the simple composition where only the bird draws focus as well as the painterly feeling that is in the picture. ### Specific Feedback Requested All feed-back is very welcome ### Technical Details Is this a composite: No Nikon D850 | Sigma 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 C | @ 600 mm · f/6.3 · ISO 2500 · 1/2000 sek I was rather dark down below the dense vegetation and I wanted to have a fast shutter speed in case the bird dived for fish. Therefore I had to increase the ISO quite a bit. ###### @johan.lennartssin.se ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 5:08pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/kingfisher/23595/2 "2021-08-07T17:08:18Z")
A very artistic presentation, Johan. I really like the streaks of light on the tops of the branches and the position of the bird in the frame. The Kingfisher really stands out. I do wish that it had turned it’s head just a touch to the left to get a streak of light on the near side of the face. I think that would have raised this image from good to superb. Unfortunately, the birds are horrible at taking direction. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Bostock](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/david_bostock/32/34921_2.png) [@David\_Bostock](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/David_Bostock)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 5:59pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/kingfisher/23595/3 "2021-08-07T17:59:19Z")
Wow, this is very nice, Johan. I really like the dark and sidelight highlighting the Kingfisher. Nice catch. The only thing I might change is to warm it up a tad. The shadows look a little too cool. But that is totally a personal preference. Awesome shot. ---
**Author:** ![Johan\_Lennartsson](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/johan_lennartsson/32/30919_2.png) [@Johan\_Lennartsson](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Johan_Lennartsson)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 7:17pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/kingfisher/23595/4 "2021-08-07T19:17:06Z")
> [@Dennis\_Plank](#): > > …entation, Johan. I really like the streaks of light on the tops of the branches and the position of the bird in the frame. The Kingfisher really stands out. I do wish that it had turned it’s head just a touch to the left to get a streak of light on the near side of the face. I think that would have raised this image from good to superb. Unfortunately, the birds are horrible at taking direction. thanks a lot for your comment Dennis! Yes, I ageee that if it had turned its that would have been great. ---
**Author:** ![Johan\_Lennartsson](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/johan_lennartsson/32/30919_2.png) [@Johan\_Lennartsson](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Johan_Lennartsson)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 7:18pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/kingfisher/23595/5 "2021-08-07T19:18:22Z")
> [@David\_Bostock](#): > > Wow, this is very nice, Johan. I really like the dark and sidelight highlighting the Kingfisher. Nice catch. The only thing I might change is to warm it up a tad. The shadows look a little too cool. But that is totally a personal preference. Awesome shot. thanks a lot for commenting on the image. I will experiment with increasing the warmth in the shadows! ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morrissey](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/peter_morrissey/32/683_2.png) [@Peter\_Morrissey](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Peter_Morrissey)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2021, 7:50pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/kingfisher/23595/6 "2021-08-08T19:50:59Z")
Hi Johan This photograph expands the canvas on how to setup and photograph a bird. Thank you, it give me something to think about. Nice work. Peter ---
**Author:** ![Johan\_Lennartsson](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/johan_lennartsson/32/30919_2.png) [@Johan\_Lennartsson](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Johan_Lennartsson)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2021, 3:59am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/kingfisher/23595/7 "2021-08-09T03:59:12Z")
Thank you Peter I am very happy you liked the image. This image comes in part from the limitations of the camera to catch the highlights and dark shadows. In to of this I had to use a high ISO so lifting the shadows did not work well. But I liked the way it turned out! ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Minish](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/gary_minish/32/525_2.png) [@Gary\_Minish](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Gary_Minish)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2021, 9:47pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/kingfisher/23595/8 "2021-08-09T21:47:53Z")
I really like the artistic impression and the mood of this shot, Johan. Had the Kingfisher turned its head enough to catch some light on the eye it would add a lot to the image but its not critical in this case. I do agree with David on warming the image up a bit. Blue light is always magnified relative to the other colors in low light situations so its usually a good idea to back off the blue to compensate. ---
**Author:** ![Johan\_Lennartsson](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/johan_lennartsson/32/30919_2.png) [@Johan\_Lennartsson](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Johan_Lennartsson)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2021, 6:19am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/kingfisher/23595/9 "2021-08-10T06:19:37Z")
Thanks a lot Gary! I will certainly experiment a bit with the warmth.