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| Group |
Round |
C/R |
Comment |
Date |
Image |
| 36 |
Jul 23 |
Comment |
You made some fine improvements (I'm happy with the grass) but this does show the need to use a polarizer much more than the original. I understand the rock texture thing, but these look like my bowl of morning cereal. The rest of your "improvements" do look much better. |
Jul 21st |
| 36 |
Jul 23 |
Comment |
Looks like we both spent some time on the beach working in foggy conditions. You have a lovely, moody sunrise. The things that I find quite stunning is the shaft of pick light extending from the sun and finally brushing the rocks on the beach with a bit of glow. For me, that shaft is light is the whole story of the image. I wish you had used a slightly lower camera angle so that the rocks with the lovely highlights of pink would be just a bit more dominant. It is really nice image as it is, but maybe that lower angle would add a bit of drama to the scene. |
Jul 13th |
| 36 |
Jul 23 |
Comment |
Ah, moving onward with technology! For you first efforts with a drone I feel you did quite well. The lake is clearly the star of the show and the scattering of rocks in the lake add some interest. I look forward to seeing more drone images.
My only suggestion is that the quite strong leading line of the road on the left does not lead to the lake but away from it. For me this weakens the cohesive nature of the image. |
Jul 13th |
| 36 |
Jul 23 |
Comment |
In that I am primarily a nature photographer I find the inclusion of boats and humans a great annoyance. Especially the woman in the bright blue bathing suit on the left. However, including or excluding elements is purely a maker's choice, so I'll yield to your choice. I think you did quite well in adjusting your color pallet so all tones and colors exist in harmony (other than the blue suit). You have basically opened all the shadows (another maker's choice) except for a single set of pines on the left. Since all the other shadows have been opened this dark area seems sort of out of place. I think all the adjustments you made all work cohesively to create a gentle, calming and static image that is quite pleasing. However, you state you were trying to create drama and pop with in the image and here I feel you fell a bit short. The light is a bit flat and with all the colors and shadows muted the pop, at least for me, does not materialize. Drama is generally created with color, contrast and shadow and that is what I feel is missing.
On a separate note, I am big on keeping elements from merging in to each other and there are several instances where the foreground grasses merge with the background that might be corrected by a slight change in camera angle.
I still thing it is a lovely image, just without drama.
You did a nice job working with Photoshop. Keep it up. |
Jul 13th |
| 36 |
Jul 23 |
Comment |
A simple WOW should be enough to review this image. Anything else would only lessen the impact of my review.
This has instant over whelming impact. The dark color pallet is a perfect backdrop for the power of the thrusting mountain that fairly explodes out of the scene. The tones to which you adjusted the mountain are the perfect compliment for the background. This almost looks like a prehistoric beast breaching out of the deep. The rough water adds to this feeling. The diagonal of the mountain and the beautiful streak of light all contribute to the feeling of multiple diagonals. I have long love simple, minimalistic images and this is a perfect example of a near perfect creation.
.
This should be printed on metal in a very large size and hung in a gallery. After seeing this, maybe I should sell my camera. |
Jul 13th |
| 36 |
Jul 23 |
Comment |
I like the concept of playing with time, but then I think that every long exposure (if it is of several seconds or more) shows the passage of time. I do like the composition and the poles do help to show the cloud movement. Michael suggested I try a blended sky in my picture and that is now on my mind so I wonder if you made this a blend so that the foreground would be sharp and then the clouds would show the passage of time. The blue and yellow/orange work nicely together as complimentary colors to create a mood. |
Jul 3rd |
| 36 |
Jul 23 |
Comment |
There are several things about this image that strike me. I love the dappled light across the land and also the soft colors. I usually see this location shown with much greater saturation---this is nice. Then there are the various textures marked and etched across the land. The grain elevator given me a starting point to look at and the the diagonal line rolling to the right helps me explore the scene. A most enchanting image. |
Jul 3rd |
| 36 |
Jul 23 |
Reply |
Thanks for your thoughts. I liked the sky because for me this was about the storm and I felt the storm clouds played an important role. The left cloud was actually inky black and it made it a bit lighter. |
Jul 3rd |
| 36 |
Jul 23 |
Reply |
Interesting thought about the sky being blended. Have to put that in my notes and try it the next time I go up there. I use two apps for long exposures with ND filters. Of course, I have PhotoPills and use it for all sorts of things, not the least of which is the DOF calculator. I also have an app simply called Long Exposure Calculator. I like this one better when the light is really low because the display is bigger. I kind of like the blur in the sky here because it matches the water movement blur as well. Also the long exposure made it possible to capture those lightning strikes. But I will try the blended approach. Thanks. |
Jul 3rd |
7 comments - 2 replies for Group 36
|
| 67 |
Jul 23 |
Comment |
It is always great to capture a bird in flight with prey in its grasp. Then you have a much better nature story. As others have noted I think the wing position works quite well and is one of my favorites. I also like the water trailing behind the the subject it adds a greater feeling of motion to the scene. As others have noted the real problem is the size of the subject in the frame. I know there are folks who swear a 200mm tele is fine for capturing birds but I will beg to disagree and in your case you are using less than half of that. To get even an apex hunter like an eagle large enough in a frame to matter you have to be so close that it is almost impossible. If I'm shooting on a lake or a rive such as this I'll be using my200-400 with a 1.4 tc attached as that gives me 550 mm. Then comes the waiting and preying game. Even with that reach it is most often just not enough. If I can't get the bird at least triple the size of your finished image, it is just not worth it. You simply cannot get enough detail to make for a good finished shot. Shooting at that distance, if you acquire focus the f6.3 is adequate. If the lens was longer, you may need to raise to f8 because the subject will be larger in the frame and thus you will need the DOF.
Obtaining sharpness when your subject is quite small in the frame is quite hard. Between camera and subject movement it is difficult to keep a focus point on the subject and even a momentary loss of the subject will render a soft image. With my Nikon I use a dynamic group of 9 focus points to help keep the subject in focus. The best shots are obtained when I can track the bird as it get closer to me. I hold off shooting until the bird gets closer (and bigger) in the frame. My shot will be a burst of maybe 5 frames. I know I will not keep those shots when the subject was at distance, nor will I keep any of the shots after the subject has passed the optimum position and is starting to move away. Thus there is not need for long bursts. There is nothing with wrong with your ISO---the camera can handle that, especially in that light. There is no faulting your shutter speed, as when shooting bird, it can never be too fast. That said I would likely have had mine set at 1/2500 but we are only talking about 1/3of a stop difference. |
Jul 9th |
| 67 |
Jul 23 |
Comment |
A bird inflight is certainly better than a bird on a stick (or in the case of pelicans on a dock side post). While clean backgrounds are always nice (they make the subject stand out) this one offers a subtle bit of environment which is nice as well. Like you and Cindy I like the raised wing position, especially when shown in profile and of course breeding colors are always a plus in a photo.
The only suggestion I have to offer is that perhaps next time you avoid that shadow on the face. While not your fault it does make the face a bit less than perfect. |
Jul 9th |
| 67 |
Jul 23 |
Reply |
I really love your comment here. It shows your photographic growth. We all take what Richard calls the Field Guide picture, and there is a place for those, but I long for the shot that captures the "moment". I don't get one every time I go out, but when I do make that capture---it makes my month. And you are right--it is challenging. |
Jul 9th |
| 67 |
Jul 23 |
Reply |
I'm with you all the way on this. As I look over my images there is an occasional "field guide" shot that I like just because it is a beautiful image, but the ones that give me satisfaction are the ones with a story or a moment. They require more work, but then there is the upside...
Besides, I can see you are getting better at it.
|
Jul 9th |
| 67 |
Jul 23 |
Reply |
It was a stunning image before, now it is amazing! :-) |
Jul 5th |
| 67 |
Jul 23 |
Comment |
Oh man, this thread is really all over everywhere. So many different things being discussed.
This image was taken by a nature photographer who was practicing his craft. I'm taken by two initial things,those being the "moment" and the technical excellence. As a nature photographer you look for the moment, not just the capture of the"critter". I see that little tongue, that is special and that is what the picture is all about. Next I am concerned about the application of the exposure triangle. The image is sharp and there are no hot spots to be burned out. At this point the ISO does not matter---getting the shot matters.
Nature is not always pretty. They live in a very busy world cluttered with a variety of things that will likely ruin what would be considered the perfect photo. You have got your shot and I think Cindy is right, as were you, make yuour crop and walk away, come back later and reconsider. The story is the "lick" so you crop as best as is possible to bring that to the forefront. Your crop is good, but Cindy is right you can eliminate more of the hind quarter, since that is not the story and work on those faces. I would additionally crop to remove that stick on the right. A tight crop is perfectly ok for a shot like this because you have to bring out the story of the "lick". This is a nature shot, so vignettes, and dark backgrounds and not allowed. However, a bit of dehaze, adding clarity to the fawns and increasing the black point and reducing highlights will help with the background. Just use masks carefully.
When I look at the camera settings and see the 6400 ISO and slow shutter speed it simply brings credit to your photographic skills. Especially when effectively using 420mm of focal length.
As a nature photographer I'm sure you will consider this a keeper both because of the experience of being there, and the actual moment. As to Susan's contest worthy vs print well it all depends on who is looking. Cropped tight I think if could be a print for the photographer who is savoring the moment. It is cute and technically sound. As for contest quality ---- well. Who are the judges? If this were judged by average PSA judges it would likely not score real well because they are looking for an image with "in your face" impact and will likely not think the licking is enough. It this were judged by a panel of quality NATURE judges this is definitely worthy of recognition. Probably not a medal but easily and Honorable Mention because they will see the "moment" and reward it. It would certainly score higher than my poor turtle. You did really well with this shot.
|
Jul 4th |
| 67 |
Jul 23 |
Comment |
Now this is a photo with Impact!! First there is the "otherworldly" look and then the star of the show comes into play and that is the lovely soft light. The pastels bring a world of mystery to the image and separate it from others I've seen of this subject. I'm with you in that I rarely include people in my landscapes, and in fact work hard to keep them out.
I t5hink your composition works with the horizontal format but if I may make one suggestion it would be that I wish you had moved slightly to the right. There is a bit of background tree to the left of the large boabab could could be hidden by moving to the right. Or you could clone it out and I'll never tell.
Otherwise a beautiful shot. |
Jul 3rd |
| 67 |
Jul 23 |
Comment |
Sorry to be a bit late to this party, but I think Cindy is pretty much on target. I feel your exposure is a bit on the high side and Cindy's photo corrects that. The other bit problem is the DOF issue. Look closely at the pose of the bird. His wing (which is nicely sharp) is much closer to your camera than his head. Those few inches make a world of difference when using a telephoto lens and a relatively shallow DOF. It is a skill you will learn over time. When you see depth in your subject, you have to increase (use a higher aperture number) your f stop. Something else you can do is work on getting your focus point on the eye of your subject. It very much looks like your focus point was the wing and thus the head is out of focus and blurred.
If you do not a denoise and sharpening program you should look into one. Topaz is as good as any, but there is a learning curve. I would suggest looking at Topaz AI which is their all inclusive program having Denoise and Sharpen and a resolution enhancement in the one program. I have hear that Topaz is going to discontinue Topaz Denoise and Topaz Sharpen and just sell the AI program within a few months. |
Jul 3rd |
| 67 |
Jul 23 |
Comment |
Michael, I really did well to capture that magical moment when the pelican morphs into a catfish. Absolutely an original image! Your processing techniques worked well.
I do like the murky green water, sort of what I think about when I think of wild catfish. You have the same problem I suffer through trying to photograph manatee. Can't even count the shots I've waste trying to get something---but that is what makes it fun.
I feel you got all there was to get with this shot and it has an effective nature story.
Over the years I've try shooting fish, mostly trout in mountain streams and I have found using a polarizer works as it removes the glare and the fish show pretty well. But getting a polarizer for a big lens is a whole different story. |
Jul 3rd |
| 67 |
Jul 23 |
Reply |
Michael, I do "get it". That was a well crafted comment!! Guess we both will be on the PSA Top 10 most wanted photographers for out rule breaking. But since they can't police the cheating in their exhibitions, I think we will be OK. I considered this photo as being about the "Egg and I" and I really wanted to show the eggs. |
Jul 3rd |
| 67 |
Jul 23 |
Reply |
Thanks Cindy. I really agree, the shade helped even the light and also take the glare off the turtle shell. When I got back from moving the turtle I checked the nest site and the birds did not dig it up. But they did crack one of the eggs during the laying process by pecking at it.
ANd I fully agree about that parking lot being in the way. Talk about the hand of man!!! |
Jul 3rd |
| 67 |
Jul 23 |
Reply |
I've seen turtles laying eggs several time but this is the first time I've been able to get close enough to capture clearly the actual event.
I always try to shoot wildlife at eye level as it adds impact and intimacy to the image. I sort of compromised here by getting on one knee because, as Michael noted below, if I was at eye level you would not be able to see the eggs and I thought they were important. Just so you know, I've had ACL surgery on the left knee and there is also a lack of remaining cartilage as well.
Getting down low gives me a great excuse to take a break and rest. But there is the getting up problem. Still I often lay prone to get shots.
The ground was sooooo hot, could feel the heat through my shoes so it had to be horrible on a turtle belly. I had to lend a helping hand. |
Jul 3rd |
| 67 |
Jul 23 |
Reply |
That's it---you are fired! We can't have mistakes here! This comes from the admin who posted the wrong write up on Michael's catfish. :-)
Your wrong photo is not a problem, I'll change it if you want to send me the correct image, but it is not necessary. |
Jul 2nd |
| 67 |
Jul 23 |
Reply |
Easy to confuse the two--after all they both have webbed swimming appendages.
Sorry for the confusion, cut and paste is a dangerous thing to use when you are tired. :-) |
Jul 2nd |
6 comments - 8 replies for Group 67
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13 comments - 10 replies Total
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