Putting your back into it! (Immature Bald Eagle)

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
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immBaldeagle3
immBaldeagle31500×1024 201 KB

Description:

This version was taken seconds after my first post and really like the poser. The position of the wings reveal the necessary torque that the feathers undergo when generating lift. I also cropped the image and like how the branches frame the eagle. Bald eagles are getting hit hard by HPAI (Avian Influenza) and I was fortunate to see over a dozen healthy eagles on that day.

Specific Feedback Requested: What do think about the crop?

Pertinent technical details or techniques:

D850, 200-400mm f4 set at 360mm (1/2000 sec at f7.1, ISO 800) Topaz DeNoise, Levels, Shadows & Highlights + Brightness and Contrast used on an adjustment layer set at 50% opacity, crop for comp. I chose this crop to provide some spaciousness around the eagle without crowding the edges…Jim
Is this a composite? (focus stacks or exposure blends are not considered composites)

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jameszablotny

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Hi Jim
This looks like a very healthy young Bald Eagle. So far on the Eagle on the east coast, they are not having HPAI problem. I like the framing and the eagle wing action, I just would like to see the exposure on the Eagle’s under side and head brought up some.
Peter

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Great catch between the branches, Jim. And the wing angle works very well to frame the head nicely.

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I, too, like the wing position and how the branches nicely frame the eagle. I’d be tempted to clone out some of the middle branch that appears to be touching the eagle.

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I do think the framing on this one is even a touch better than your last post, Jim. The curved feather tips are always one of my favorite wing positions.

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Excellent high key effect on this one. I think I would also clone a few of the branches there touching the bird. I realize this is a personal choice and effects their environment.

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