|
| Group |
Round |
C/R |
Comment |
Date |
Image |
| 15 |
May 25 |
Comment |
Terrific behavior capture with that huge fish. But what really makes this stand out for me is the color in the background that echoes the colors of the bird. Beautiful. |
May 27th |
| 15 |
May 25 |
Comment |
I can't pass by a Penguin image without taking notice :)
I like the relative position of the 2 birds and the raised foot gives you a sense of movement. The kelp adds a nice element of color and also adds to the story and environment.
Thanks for putting a smile on my face. |
May 27th |
2 comments - 0 replies for Group 15
|
| 67 |
May 25 |
Reply |
I know others who have done that, and it's a great tool. Unfortunately for me that button is in a spot that I just can't reach to keep it engaged the way you need to or I'd be using it for sure! |
May 21st |
| 67 |
May 25 |
Comment |
That is one colorful bird, set off nicely by the plain-colored background. I do like the cropped version as well. |
May 20th |
| 67 |
May 25 |
Reply |
My Hawaii bird book says they were brought to Hawaii by Polynesian colonists for food. But it is a pure species that still exists un-domesticated in Asia, although apparently there has been some inter-breeding with domestic fowl. So from that standpoint, it isn't different than a starling or any other introduced species. |
May 20th |
| 67 |
May 25 |
Comment |
This is such a wonderful story-telling image. Having the line of animals up close allows us to identify what the line-up is in the background. They are in a line going toward the herd so this directs your attention through the image appropriately. You have nice light as well giving good detail in the animals.
The pose of the animal(s) should be pleasing and make sense for the situation and/or story. I've never held to any guideline about what that angle is- it could be 90 or something else entirely. 90 here would not work at all because the close line wouldn't have any connection to the background herd.
Anyway. I really like this image and wish I had some wildebeest shots I like this much. |
May 20th |
| 67 |
May 25 |
Comment |
I love to watch these guys- and the coots- go after each other. It's usually over so fast I don't get on it in time though! You have to be set up and ready when the action happens for sure. I do like the pose, not just the visible eyes but that huge foot out in the lead really adds to the story. |
May 20th |
| 67 |
May 25 |
Comment |
Hi Susan,
That is a good subject to find and I like that you chose to shoot when it was vocalizing and all puffed up. Something a little different.
I read through the discussion with Larry, lots of good info there. I was wondering why you'd gone with such a high f/stop on this- not only did it make the background more prominent, but it made the ISO awfully high.
I think the head angle is fine here, as you said it's looking off at something. When I'm choosing head angle from a variety of shots, I consider where the light is on the face and beak as a first priority (most of the time). Depending on the light angle, that best-lit head angle could be 90 or something different. Then I consider where it's looking at and does it make sense, add to a story etc as I decide to keep or not.
You also mentioned having the focus slip off to the reeds. The Z9 should be able to stay right on the bird in a shot like this, with the bird detection turned on. If the focus struggles, switch to a single-point focus mode, use the joystick to move that focus point to the eye and it shouldn't jump off to the reeds. I like to use the 3D tracking with bird mode turned on in cases like this but will punt and go back to the single spot if it gives me trouble.
Magee Marsh should be a fun place to visit!! |
May 20th |
| 67 |
May 25 |
Reply |
I'm ok with cropped reflections, but balancing the amount takes a few tries. A figure in still water without a reflection would look "photoshopped" because it just doesn't occur in reality, so not something I'd do. But Larry's suggestion about darkening it would help make it less obtrusive.
I did get some shots with a good reflection (no algae interrupting it) but I didn't like the pose as well so I chose this one for discussion.
Thanks for your inputs!
|
May 8th |
| 67 |
May 25 |
Reply |
I fussed with the crop on the reflection and could try some alternatives. But your point about the brightness gives me some good ideas- regardless of how much I decide to leave. I didn't want to take more off because I thought it needed some "ground room", and too much more of it would get in to the part that's spoilt by the algae in the water.
OK here's a version with a bit of vignette and the reflection darkened a bit (reduced highlights). I remember why I chose this crop- so that there wasn't a partial wing in it. |
May 8th |
 |
4 comments - 4 replies for Group 67
|
| 91 |
May 25 |
Reply |
Hi Adrian, thank you. Here's the unedited file. I usually do include the original and didn't this time because I did so little to it other than the rotation and crop. Just a small increase in exposure and contrast. I was lucky that the light angle was perfect for the incoming bird. |
May 24th |
 |
| 91 |
May 25 |
Comment |
Welcome to the group Maria!
Wow what an incredible image this is. Not only a great display pose captured, but the side light is just perfect. The displaying bird is well lit, and the far-side of the other bird in shadow serves to help keep your attention on the action.
I like the crop you've chosen as it shows a clue about the large size of the nest, which is part of the story.
Beautiful image! |
May 19th |
| 91 |
May 25 |
Comment |
What a sweet moment and great story this tells. I love that both of the chicks are looking right at their incoming meal, and dad is stretched out to deliver. Not having dad blocking part of the scene is just perfect.
You've captured nice detail as well. The soft light and no harsh shadows is perfect for this as it lets us see all that detail and none of the birds is obscured by shadow.
I bet you marked your calendar for a return visit next year- I would! |
May 19th |
| 91 |
May 25 |
Comment |
What a great yard bird! You caught that cocky Thrush-pose very well. I agree that warming up the white balance would be more pleasing. |
May 19th |
| 91 |
May 25 |
Comment |
Beautiful background and interesting perch for this handsome bird. I like that it's all fluffed up, gives it a bit of character. I like your crop as shown; if this was mine I'd probably leave just a smidge more room top and right.
I'm not a big fan of artificial catchlights. But looking closely at the eye, I can see a highlight arc at the top. You could go in with a small brush and brighten up that existing highlight to make it more evident. A highlight tool might do the job too. But the eye is very prominent as it is and I'm happy with this as shown. |
May 19th |
| 91 |
May 25 |
Comment |
Jerry,
This is a Snowy Egret. I learned the hint that Snowies wear "golden slippers". Our other white Egret, the Great Egret, has all black legs and feet.
This is really a terrific pose, I love the spread out top-side view of the wings. Agree the crop works really well for this subject. Nice and sharp throughout as well. Very pretty shot.
|
May 19th |
5 comments - 1 reply for Group 91
|
| 94 |
May 25 |
Comment |
The composition is excellent with the diagonal branch and well-placed and spaced buds and moths. But the light totally makes this shot. Really beautiful. |
May 30th |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 94
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12 comments - 5 replies Total
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