Flamingo

[Erich in Az]

Does it work, or is the loss of the beak too much. I've got a couple of hot spots too, but there is something I like about it but I can't put my finger on it.

#1

http://www.gilaphotos.com/misc/IMG_0501_flamingo.jpg


How about this one?
#2

http://www.gilaphotos.com/misc/IMG_0500_flamingo.jpg

How can I improve these, either in PP or when shot. I was dealing with a lot of dynamic range, and I think it was just too much to catch it all.

C&C appreciated

Thanks

[DrFil]

lol wow, this is very striking. where/how did you take these? is this at night and you were shining a flash into some unsuspecting flamingo on a lake? i think the first one is much better than the second (good focus + lighting + interesting composition).

[Maureen Souza]

I also really like the first shot...great use of light and shadows!!

[drummerhc]

Wow, nice shots. I would like to know it too....
Do you work at zoo or something?

[Grimlock]

I enjoyed these greatly. 1st one is very nice.

And, I agree with drummer ... you have to give up your secret. :P

[Erich in Az]

This wasn't shot at night, it was actually at 2:58pm. No ninja night sneaking for me ;)

I was fighting harsh shadows all day, but this time it worked out that the flamingo was inthe light, and the bushes about 5 feet behind him were in the shadows. This was opposite of most of the rest of the day where the subject was in the shadows and the BG was blown out :(

PP was a slight reduction in exposure, a bump in orange saturation in lightroom and a levels adjustment in PS. This is the exif info:

70-200/f2.8 (Sigma) @ 200mm
rebel XT
no flash
1/4000th@f4
ISO 400

[drummerhc]

Those are sick shots with natural light.