Bird Photo Competition 5 2015 : Entry Number 140

This is definitely an image for the connoisseurs. Black birds are challenging subjects to photograph well and most photographers use front lighting to maximise color and tone detail. Shooting into the light is a popular technique amongst more advanced photographers, who seek to enhance outlines through the use of 'rim lighting'. This technique, though, depends on capturing transmitted light, which is much easier to achieve with white or pale birds. Successfully shooting a black Raven in flight against a dark background is a rare accomplishment. In this case, perfect angles, golden backlighting and expert treatment have produced an exquisite result.

Thank you so much, I'm really honored about this award, and the comments from you Mike really made me proud. My name is Vinni Bruhn, I'm a nature photographer in my sparetime, and spend a lot of hours in the nature, both in my home country Denmark, but also in the other Scandinavian countries. This Raven is photographed in Norway (Flatanger - Norway Nature) in 2014, and it was quite difficult to capture the bird in the right position and the right light at the same time. Luckily he was coorporating quite well, so I got the chance several times ;-) I have used a Canon 1DX + a Canon 300mm f/2,8 EXIF: ISO 400, f/5,0, 1/1600 - handheld Thank you again for giving me the first price, I'm looking so much forward to receive the Leica camera.