What a difference light makes

Light is the holy grail of photography. Even with the amazing capabilities of modern cameras, lenses, and software like Photoshop, it is difficult to impossible to duplicate the difference natural light makes in an image. These images demonstrate this. This is a Red-neck Phalarope, photographed in North Dakota. These individuals are in breeding plumage; in the winter they are very ordinary looking grey and white birds. Although both of the shots were taken in the late afternoon, there is about 2 hours difference in when these shots were taken. Both shots were processed the same in Photoshop. Both were taken with a Canon R5 ii, 600 mm f/4.0 lens + 1.4 extender