Stepping Carefully

Image Critiques
1

NPN_SADDLE_BILLED_STORK_CSD9691_4.jpg
NPN_SADDLE_BILLED_STORK_CSD9691_4.jpg1600×2000 2.28 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

On my last day in South Africa, got lucky to see this Saddle-Billed Stork. Incredibly large bird that can take your breath away!

Specific Feedback

Thoughts? Lighting was a bit harsh.

Technical Details

1/800 sec. at f/9.0, ISO 1800, 560mm
Nikon Z9, Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
DxO and LrC - played with highlights, shadows, whites, and blacks.

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3

Nice job, Christine. The only place the harsh light shows up is on the whites in the back, where they always do. I’m guessing the unusual crop was due to the fixed focal length lens you were using? It does make an interesting, if unconventional, composition.

1 Like
4

Thank you @Sandy_Richards-Brown and @Dennis_Plank . Did not get the bird in the full frame hence the cropping. My only defense was being so excited and trying to get a photo that I missed the whole bird!!

5

Here’s a headshot.

NPN_SADDLE_BILLED_STORK_HEADSHOT_CSD9691
NPN_SADDLE_BILLED_STORK_HEADSHOT_CSD96911600×2000 1.51 MB

7

The headshot works beautifully, Christine.

1 Like
8

Love the head shot Christine!

1 Like
9

Thank you! @Dennis_Plank @Sandy_Richards-Brown @Allen_Sparks

10

Hi Christine
Thank you for bringing us the Saddle-Billed Stork. You may like to look at just a headshot; the coloring is outstanding.
Peter

1 Like
11

Thank you @Peter_Morrissey !