PHOTO TIP OF THE MONTH
Snowy Egret in Breeding Plumage:
Egrets and herons, as well as many other birds grow spectacular plumage during the breeding season. Also, the color of their lores (the bit of skin surrounding the eye and leads into the beak), and beaks can change colors. The feet and lores of Snowy Egrets turn from yellow to a bright red, as shown here.I took this image late one afternoon when the light was not as harsh. I had nice side lighting which helped bring out detail in the feathers. I tried to position myself so that the bird was in front of a dark background, and thus stand out even more. Use of fill flash helped me fill in some of the shadows, bring out detail in the dark legs and beak, and give me a catchlight in the eye. I waited until the bird fluffed up his feathers and then exposed several frames showing the magnificent plumage. Nikkor 300mm f2.8, 1/640 @ f8, tripod, provia 100F pushed 1 stop, fill-flash -1.7, spot meter off bright feathers +1.3 stops.
For more photo tips check out next months "picture of the month".
To learn more about taking pictures consider taking either the basic or advanced photography class.
Past PhotoTips
