I’m fond, perhaps a bit too fond, of making animal portraits. There is something pleasing about making a simple portrait of an animal that captures a bit of its personality. (Or at least a bit of the personality that we project onto the thing in the process of anthropomorphizing it.)
Enter this common raven (Corvus corax), from Yellowstone National Park. These are common birds, but wary. This is the first time I’ve found a fairly tame raven that I could work in good light. Since the bird was unconcerned with my presence, I had lots of time to capture just the right head angle. (Note: this is harder than you would think.) I used my 500mm lens to isolate the bird against a creamy out-of-focus background. I shot tight, both because, as noted, I like to make animal portraits, and because the bird was perched on an sign, effectively ruling out a whole-body image. In hindsight, I wish that I had framed the yellow “horizon” slightly lower in the image, but I like it nonetheless.
Apologies for the recent hiatus in posting new images. More soon.
I have a fondness for animal portraits as well, love to capture that unique personality if I can. I need to get out shooting some time soon; it’s been a while.