The Takeoff Race

[Roger Clark]

Two sandhill cranes taking off. Bosque del Apache.
1D Mark IV, 500 f/4 at f/6.3, 1/3200 sec at iso 400, cropped, background blurred. Sharpened with Richardson-Lucy Deconvolution.

Alternate titles: Ahead by a _____ (can't use nose, it's less than a beak, so how about nostril?)

Roger


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[dankearl]

Excellent photo, Roger, very nice DOF, tough shot to get right, nice work!

[David Salem]

A very unique and beautiful capture. The exposure is right on and the detail is great. Looks like the one on top has its head leaned over the other one, keeping it on the same focal plane. Awesome job!!

[John Cooper]

I agree with David here Roger, a really unique capture of these two cranes in take-off mode. Very sharp, great lighting and the crop works so well here. Well done!

[Marina Scarr]

How about Neck and Neck? Really liking the feel of this one. Lovely light. Nice wings and good story.

[PhilCook]

WOW !!!.....absolutely amazing, has that immediate "wow" factor.Incredibly sharp for a moving subject, loving the dagger like flight feathers so visible, eye contact perfect.....a veritable work of art Roger.

I could possibly go so far as to say this is the most appealing image to me I have seen on this forum to date.....absolutely brilliant photography Roger !!!

[christopher galeski]

nice image Roger,sharp with good detail,like the BG color,thanks.

[Nick Palmieri]

"Beak to Beat"..sorry it's early...Really cool capture and way to keep details and sharpness in both of these guys!

[stuart wanuck]

Nice symmetry well done

[Bill Dix]

A really marvelous shot, Roger. Great juxtaposition, great techs. I love the comp, and the story. No nits from me -- a real winner!

[Miguel Palaviccini]

haha, this is neat roger! Love the capture.

[Nancy Bell]

This is spectacular! It has drama, incredible symmetry, beautiful light, great feather details, fantastic spread of the forewing feathers, a foot with dripping water, perfect bkgd...absolutely outstanding!!

[Jonathan Ashton]

A big YES from me, super techs ideal timing an outstanding image - well done.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Unique is the right word here. Fabulous image of a tight race...this is literally a "photo finish"!

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Incredible shot...very powerful. Loved the tight crop, DOF and the sharpness. Awesome shot.

[Satish Ranadive]

Yes,I agree fully with others "unique, most appealing and gorgeous image".
Love the wonderful details,lights,lovely HA,shadows on the wings,dripping water,beautiful composition and superb BG.

Regards,
Satish.

[Roger Clark]

How about Neck and Neck? Really liking the feel of this one. Lovely light. Nice wings and good story.

Hi Marina,
Thanks! I like it. Neck and Neck it is.

Roger

[Roger Clark]

Hi Phil,
That is amazingly high praise. Thank you very much.

Roger

[Roger Clark]

Thank you all. While I liked the crop, I was not sure how it would go over. I'll post in another thread the larger frame.

Roger