Macaw Closeup

[SolventSolution]

Hey all. This is my first post but have been reading for awhile.

I took this the other day at the San Diego Zoo. My issue/question is with the blown out background. It was partly cloudy day and the bird was high up on a perch. Shooting up towards the sky was pretty much my only option. Is there much I could do to help capture the background (even if it were just some subtle blues in the sky) better?



Nikon D3000
AF-S 55-300mm VR

Exposure Time: 0.0125s (1/80)
Aperture: f/5.3
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 220mm

also i fired the popup flash

Thanks

[AZShutterbug]

Wow, nice shot! Great clear crisp focus on the eye and facial features. Who cares about the background...seriously, the photo almost looks like it was taken in a studio and I wouldn't have known any better except for your description. IMO, as close as you focused in on the Macaw, anything in the background could possibly be distracting. I would leave it as is.

[Helsbells]

I agree totally with AZShutterbug. Great Shot! A background would detract

[Jinks]

Also agree, no problem with the background at all and you've captured a great expression.

Did you have to crop it at the top or is it as is? Missing the top of the head feathers is the only thing that detracts from the image.

[sk66]

Only thing I would do is crop tighter.
The rt wing doesn't add anything and is a bit distracting.

Nice focus!

[SolventSolution]

Thanks all. I appreciate the feedback. I guess I was thinking if the sky were light blue instead of bright white it may be less bright.

It's not cropped. Totally bummed I cut off the top feathers.

I like the crop sk66 and agree that the other wing is a bit distracting but now I think it feels a little unbalanced. Thanks for the critique.

[scootermcq]

I honestly love it.... looks like a high key portrait.

I am the first to hate blown backgrounds, but in this case it looks intentional & like a portrait!

[SolventSolution]

Originally Posted by scootermcq

I honestly love it.... looks like a high key portrait.

I am the first to hate blown backgrounds, but in this case it looks intentional & like a portrait!

Awesome. Like your avatar right? I didn't know about this field of photography. I've been shooting for just under 2 years and there’s a lot to learn...

Thanks for all the comments and critiques. It's very helpful.

[PhotographyN]

nice shot! .. the sky is blown out completely and that's why this works.. indeed just like a studio shot

I personally would prefer a bit warmer coloring and maybe a bit more contrast ... but that's really personal of course how you like it best..