Sabine Nehls, QPSA, EFIAP
March 2025 - Kingfisher
About the Image(s)
My husband and I had wished to photograph a kingfisher for a long time. We were happy to receive an invitation from a friend who gets a visit from a female kingfisher every year. On his property with a pond, the kingfisher is fed with small fish.
The kingfisher has its perch near the camouflage tents. The distance between camera and perch is approx. 3 meters.
In the morning, the kingfisher showed up quite often, sat on the branch to fish and ate the fish.
He ate a total of 10 fish, we couldn't believe it, such a small bird and so many fish.
Unfortunately, he didn't come back to the pond in the afternoon.
At the end of the day after 5 hours sitting quietly in the cold at 5 degrees Celsius, we had lots of great images and were totally happy. It was worth it.
It was an incredibly wonderful experience.
Editing in Photoshop according to the allowed techniques of the nature section of the PSA (adjustments such as brightness, hue, saturation and contrast).
Canon EOS R7, 200mm, f7.1, 1/250 sec. ISO 3200, exposure -0,7, tripod
This round’s discussion is now closed!
13 comments posted
Sabine, this is a great photo and a wonderful capture of your Kingfish. The image is in focus and is sharp with a great catch light in its eye. The layers of the feathers displayed from the neck to the tail are beautifully shown against a nice background. The shades of blue and the colors of the beak are beautiful as is the side profile of the bird's head with its fish in its beak making this a stunning image.
My preference for your image would be a smaller crop (5x4) that also eliminates a bright spot (upper corner) and a branch (lower corner). I'm interested to know if, or how the allowable technics of PSAs nature section influenced your post processing decisions.
I have spotted a kingfisher at a lake near my house a few times, but I am never able to position myself close enough for a decent capture. Great Job!
Posted: 03/06/2025 19:02:33
My preference for your image would be a smaller crop (5x4) that also eliminates a bright spot (upper corner) and a branch (lower corner). I'm interested to know if, or how the allowable technics of PSAs nature section influenced your post processing decisions.
I have spotted a kingfisher at a lake near my house a few times, but I am never able to position myself close enough for a decent capture. Great Job!
Posted: 03/06/2025 19:02:33
Jim, Thank you for your comment and your suggestion to crop the image to remove distracting elements. I will definitely consider your idea.
As I have already described, I have only made a few changes in the image processing.
To be honest, I wouldn't have done any more as I already liked the original image.
You should just know the rules when you take part in PSA nature photo competitions.
They are much stricter than those of the FIAP.
Posted: 03/14/2025 10:22:28
As I have already described, I have only made a few changes in the image processing.
To be honest, I wouldn't have done any more as I already liked the original image.
You should just know the rules when you take part in PSA nature photo competitions.
They are much stricter than those of the FIAP.
Posted: 03/14/2025 10:22:28
Hi Sabine, this is a stunning capture of a beautiful kingfisher proudly holding its prey. The victorious look in its eyes truly conveys a sense of achievement in this special moment. Its bright, vibrant blue feathers stand out beautifully, while its navy-blue wings resemble a gorgeous royal gown fit for a king! The wavy feather details add an elegant texture with a luminous sheen. The only adjustment I would suggest is darkening the bright spots, particularly in the bottom right and upper right corners, to keep the focus on the bird.
Also, I would love to learn more about the PSA editing process techniques-where can I find more information on that? Posted: 03/07/2025 17:45:16
Also, I would love to learn more about the PSA editing process techniques-where can I find more information on that? Posted: 03/07/2025 17:45:16
Linda, You can find the "Editing Guidelines for Nature and Photo Travel Divisions" under the PSA website Divisions -
https://psaphotoworldwide.org/page/division-definitions
These are not image editing techniques, just the rules.
For a submission in the Color division of competitions, you may darken parts of the image, but not for the Nature division.
Thanks a lot for your detailed comment. Posted: 03/14/2025 10:33:04
https://psaphotoworldwide.org/page/division-definitions
These are not image editing techniques, just the rules.
For a submission in the Color division of competitions, you may darken parts of the image, but not for the Nature division.
Thanks a lot for your detailed comment. Posted: 03/14/2025 10:33:04
Sabine, this is a fantastic shot!
Very sharp image of a beautifully colored bird. You are very fortunate to have had camouflaged tents! Posted: 03/09/2025 14:04:12
Very sharp image of a beautifully colored bird. You are very fortunate to have had camouflaged tents! Posted: 03/09/2025 14:04:12
The tent really saved us from the cold - at least for a while. Sitting in it was comfortable for many hours and, above all, it didn't disturb the kingfisher in the slightest! Posted: 03/14/2025 10:37:31
Stunning photo and I applaud your patience - especially in chilly, damp conditions!
I really like the larger format and while I typically opt for a tighter crop (like Jim's) the fact that the bird is looking to the right gives reasons to the space. Also accentuates that he's a lone fisher!
This one deserves wall space! Posted: 03/09/2025 14:31:44
I really like the larger format and while I typically opt for a tighter crop (like Jim's) the fact that the bird is looking to the right gives reasons to the space. Also accentuates that he's a lone fisher!
This one deserves wall space! Posted: 03/09/2025 14:31:44
A lone fisher, in any case, defending his territory.
I would definitely be patient enough to take the photos a second time and endure the cold, although patience is not necessarily one of my strengths. Posted: 03/14/2025 10:43:51
I would definitely be patient enough to take the photos a second time and endure the cold, although patience is not necessarily one of my strengths. Posted: 03/14/2025 10:43:51
(Groups 21 & 48 & 71)
Sabine, outstanding image of a Kingfisher. Spectacularly beautiful! Our North American Kingfishers in the US are normally just black and white. I also like Jim's crop that gets rid of the distracting upper and lower branches on the right side. Your image couldn't be any sharper and having the fish gives it great visual impact. Posted: 03/09/2025 19:38:55
Tom, thank you very much for your kind words.
Interesting that the kingfisher looks different in North America. Posted: 03/14/2025 10:45:40
Interesting that the kingfisher looks different in North America. Posted: 03/14/2025 10:45:40
Sabine, this is a great photo of a kingfisher! The timing of the shot was quite good with the turn of its head to show its' catch. The sharpness, detail and color of the feathers is also quite good. Very good photo! Posted: 03/14/2025 16:08:20
Sabine, For me your image tells a story of accomplishment and sorrow. Survival of the fittest. Your five hours were worth every minute. Capturing the conquering look on the kingfisher and the "on no" frown on the smaller fish tells says it all. You picked up beautiful detail and color of the Kingfisher's feathers. Great expressive nature shot. Posted: 03/16/2025 18:23:21
(Group 46)
Hi Sabine,
I love this image of the Kingfisher. I photographed one before, but not enough to fill the frame. Great composition and color enhancement. Tells a great story. Even the fish is done well. More detail of the catch-light of the eye would also enhance the image. Posted: 03/17/2025 13:35:44
I love this image of the Kingfisher. I photographed one before, but not enough to fill the frame. Great composition and color enhancement. Tells a great story. Even the fish is done well. More detail of the catch-light of the eye would also enhance the image. Posted: 03/17/2025 13:35:44