Marge Barham
May 2023 - Still Hungry Cicks
About the Image(s)
A recent trip to Alligator Farm in St Augustine, Fl has lots to offer bird photographers. You are never disappointed after spending a day or two walking around. These two little chicks are looking for their next meal with hopes of it coming soon.
Canon 80D, Canon lens 100-400, ISO 400, f14 and 1/1250 shutter speed.
10 comments posted
I think you did a marvelous job capturing the emotion of the moment. To me the image is sharp and properly exposed. I'm curious about your choice of aperture. You say you used f/14 and yet the background is well blurred. Did you shoot in shutter priority? I think f/7.1 would have doubled your shutter speed or you could have cut your ISO in half. Just something to think about. I did crop a little differently. I left some of the nest for context but felt the empty space left and right contributed nothing to the story. One last thought: If you think you have the time, try to get separation from your subjects. To me the bottom bird's beak is lost in the shadow of the other bird. Overall, i think you did a great job on post and I think you have a professional looking image. Well done. Posted: 05/08/2023 12:37:14
Thank you Kurtis for your comments. I was shooting shutter priority and in Auto ISO. It was a really hot day and I wasn't really paying attention. I did get separation in the next few photos but I am saving that photo for another day. LOL. I do like your crop. Thank you. Posted: 05/16/2023 20:26:09
I think this is a nice capture with great detail. For me, there is a bit too much contrast with details lost in the shadows. I used the dodge tool to bring out more info. I also cropped and removed some twigs and darkend the bright spots in the background. Of course you can't remove stuff in a nature competition. Posted: 05/09/2023 08:07:33
Thank you for your vision Art. The darker background makes a big difference. Posted: 05/16/2023 20:29:32
Excellent image Marge. I like the details of this chicks and I like the composition. The rule of third as you chose give some important breathing room to the image. I only gave a little light to the background. Brava! Posted: 05/09/2023 08:59:30
Thank you Gabriele. I do like the composition that I chose with them both towards the right and one looking to the left. It's interesting that others darkened the background and you added light. Posted: 05/16/2023 20:33:38
Regine Guillemin
Breathtaking!!! I love this image and like Kurtis processing as well. The texture and the sharpness are outstanding. I am curious, did you shoot handheld? or use a tripod? I envy you for getting this kind of moment in wildlife. You could enter it in contest or submit it to a wildlife magazine. Well done Posted: 05/16/2023 20:37:32
Thank you Regine for you kind comments. I did shoot this handheld. You should try it at the very least. The hardest part is finding your subjects. Posted: 05/20/2023 18:39:45
A wonderful shot Marge, these two chicks are conveying a powerful message!! To me, standing in the heat shooting pictures of nesting bird takes not only skill but a lot of patience and endurance! You did a wonderful job and I can't wait to see other pictures from this outing.😊 Posted: 05/27/2023 14:33:35
Thank you Sylvia. After this four day trip I need to rest for the next five days. LOL
Posted: 05/28/2023 19:54:19
Posted: 05/28/2023 19:54:19