Eagle (testing my 1D4), C & C

As the title says, I was testing my new-to-me 1D4, not much to shoot here in Rhode Island in the winter, so I went to the local zoo (yea, I cheated... sorry...). Thought it was a nice shot, let me know...

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/kenjancef/69389​94547/

That is a nice shot, although it looks like the area at the top and left edge (from the viewer's perspective) of the eagle's head is blown out. It looks like you were stuck with harsh directional light that wasn't cooperating to light up the eagle very well for photography.

You are correct sir! lol...

The sun was a bit harsh, and the birds dont move around much, so I was kinda stuck. And I'm not much of a bird shooter, so not sure if there are any certain rules that apply to bird shooting.

I left a lot of room above his head. Does that look ok, or should I have cropped closer to the top of his head?

kenjancef wrote in post #14008408
You are correct sir! lol...

The sun was a bit harsh, and the birds dont move around much, so I was kinda stuck. And I'm not much of a bird shooter, so not sure if there are any certain rules that apply to bird shooting.

I left a lot of room above his head. Does that look ok, or should I have cropped closer to the top of his head?

I think it would probably look better if you did crop closer to his head, and because he's looking to his left (right of the picture) it probably would have been better to have more open space on that right side, to give someplace for him to be looking into.

The bottom of the image does nothing to improve it also, so I would crop it perhaps to the middle of the log or so.

Thanks guys! I will try it tonight and post back. My afternoon routines are starting up.

Here is all I can do. There is a tree on the right so that's as far as I could go without getting it in too much on the right.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/kenjancef/68018​11444/

Looks good - cut a little more off the left side and it will make the space on the right look bigger. This crop puts the intersection of the 1/3 graph lines right on his eye. This makes a very nice composition, because the wood at the bottom and right form a partial frame for the eagle and the diagonal one on the right makes a V with the line of the eagle's neck and head, giving the image a more dynamic look.

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stsva wrote in post #14013725
Looks good - cut a little more off the left side and it will make the space on the right look bigger. This crop puts the intersection of the 1/3 graph lines right on his eye. This makes a very nice composition, because the wood at the bottom and right form a partial frame for the eagle and the diagonal one on the right makes a V with the line of the eagle's neck and head, giving the image a more dynamic look.

Very nice!

stsva wrote in post #14013725
Looks good - cut a little more off the left side and it will make the space on the right look bigger. This crop puts the intersection of the 1/3 graph lines right on his eye. This makes a very nice composition, because the wood at the bottom and right form a partial frame for the eagle and the diagonal one on the right makes a V with the line of the eagle's neck and head, giving the image a more dynamic look.

Wow, you're tough... Just kidding...

I'll work on it tonight and post it.

Wait, don't work on it, it's not that good an image...go back and reshoot. But this time do it right and go at the proper time for best light...then work the shot...let it come to you...wait and be patient...get one without a branch obscuring the body.

tmoore323 wrote in post #14015169
Very nice!

Agree.