Favorite Bird Photos

[Light Catcher]

Another set of my favorites.

1. Wood Duck

2. Snowy Egret

3. Double-crested Cormorant

4. Black-crowned Night Heron (adult form)

5. Black-crowned Night Heron (juvenile form)

6. Green Heron

7. Blue Heron

[zombiesniper]

Well done.
Love the dark backgrounds. I'm guessing that you're using a flash for this?

[Light Catcher]

Well done.
Love the dark backgrounds. I'm guessing that you're using a flash for this?

Thanks.

I don't use a flash for my black background photos. I think the best and most complete way to share this information with you is to include this excerpt from my "Canon SX50 Hints & Tips" page from my photography website. Fortunately, many people like this effect and I always enjoy sharing information regarding camera technique & strategies. Let me know if you have any further questions.

Here's the excerpt:

MY BLACK BACKGROUND PHOTOS
My favorite type of image involves the use of "side-lighting" of the subject. During early morning or late afternoon hours I simply take advantage of the position of the sun. I place myself in a position so the sunlight is mainly striking the subject from the side. In this way, the subject is typically half in sunlight and half in shadow. Think of a first quarter or gibbous moon, for example. Additionally, the black backgrounds you see in my images require that the area especially behind the subject be fairly dark to begin with. I start decreasing the Exposure Compensation value until the foreground and background begin to "disappear." In this way, plenty of sunlight remains on the subject and areas around it begin to darken. I make adjustments until I like what I see. Now I have a good "foundation" image to work with during post-processing. I use Photoshop Elements 12. During post-processing I first select a one-click AUTO LEVELS or AUTO CONTRAST depending on which looks best. Then under "ADJUST LIGHTING" I simply decrease the LEVELS until all hints of the information around the subject goes completely black. The subject still remains in "good light" while everything else in the frame is now black and I'm left with the images you see on my website. That's it.

Tony

[Light Catcher]

Favorite Black & White conversions.

1. Snowy Egret

2. Great Blue Heron

3. Great Egret

4. Double-created Cormorant

5. Mute Swan

6. Snowy Egret

[Iguanasan]

A very belated welcome to the forum. What an awesome set of images. The detail is excellent and you make it pretty much impossible to pick a favourite from all of these wonderful images. I hope I get to see more.

[asnow]

Too many awesome images to pick a favourite. Well done.

[Light Catcher]

A very belated welcome to the forum. What an awesome set of images. The detail is excellent and you make it pretty much impossible to pick a favourite from all of these wonderful images. I hope I get to see more.

Thanks for the welcome and for your comments. I really enjoyed your photos on Flickr. Well done!

Tony

[Light Catcher]

Too many awesome images to pick a favourite. Well done.

I appreciate your comments very much!

Tony

[Light Catcher]

I hope you'll enjoy this set. Hand-held, no cropping.

Tony

1. Double-crested Cormorant

2. Red-tailed Hawk

3. Muscovy Duck

4. Brown Pelican

5. Great Blue Heron