An Arc of Coral

About this piece

A flamingo’s curved neck and lowered head form a sculptural arc against a deep black background. Fine neck feathers, layered wing plumage, and a sharply defined pale eye give this tightly framed portrait its tactile detail and intensity.

The story

I followed the curve of the neck through the viewfinder, drawn first by its color, then by the fine pattern of feathers. The lowered head brought the pale eye into view, a small, steady point within all that coral. I kept the frame close, leaving the darkness around the bird undisturbed. What held my attention was the contrast between the broad sweep of its shape and the delicate edges of each feather.