Soft Layers...

[Arthur Morris]

This image was created on November 25, 2013, our snow day at Bosque with the hand held Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens, the Canon 1.4x EF Extender III (Teleconverter) (at 280mm), and the Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital camera body ISO 100. Evaluative metering +2 1/3 stops off the white sky: 1/13 sec. at f/18 in Manual mode, with the Hoya 77mm Neutral Density (ND) 0.9 (3-stop) Pro 1 Digital Multi-Coated Glass Filter

Central sensor/AI Servo Rear Focus/Suround AF as framed active at the moment of exposure. Click here (http://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2013/10/31/if-this-doesnt-get-the-point-across-nothing-will/) if you missed the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial.

To see more images from our great snow day check out Beyond Spectacular Part I (http://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2013/11/26/beyond-spectacular-part-i/) and Using All the Clubs in Your Bag: Beyond Spectacular Part II (http://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2013/12/04/using-all-the-clubs-in-your-bag-at-bosque-beyond-spectacular-part-ii/).

As for the image, don't be shy; all comments welcome.

[dankearl]

Your recent blurs have been the best I have ever seen...
This one my favorite because of the compactness and flow of the flock.
I would still take a bit off the top for an even sleeker pano.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Dank. Maybe a sliver. I can't believe that I missed a bit dust spot top middle.... It was the best ever year for blast-offs and the snow day was totally unparalleled for blast-offs.

[John Robinson]

Not into this stuff but this is great ! Preferit to the previous OOF ones
Good for the board room wall !!
JR

[Arthur Morris]

Not into this stuff but this is great ! Prefer it to the previous OOF ones
Good for the board room wall !!
JR

Thanks Johnny. Just for the record books all of the previous ones posted here and on the blog were sharply focused with a slow shutter speed. :)

[John Robinson]

See what you mean.
JR

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

This is one of my faves as well because of all the interesting layers to the image. The colors work nicely together as well.

[arash_hazeghi]

very nice, you missed a bunch of dust spots ;)

[christopher galeski]

Have to agree with Johhny,one for the board room wall.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Artie this is a really eye catching image, I have to confess I have not been too crazy on some of the blurred images but there is something about this one that makes me look and look again.
BTW dust spots - you probably know but they can be eliminated at the conversion stage, so once done then it's done and dusted you might say:w3.

[Arthur Morris]

very nice, you missed a bunch of dust spots ;)

Thanks. Only 36 ranging from large and dark to faint.... Cropped a bit from the top as suggested above and dust spots removed, at least as many as I can find. I have since cleaned my sensor :S3:.

[keith mitchell]

Rocks my boat just the way it is :S3:

[Marc Mol]

Nice contrast of layer/colours with perfect techs for this blur Artie.


I can't believe that I missed a bit dust spot top middle....

Happens to me as well Artie, you always tend to miss 1 or 2 when attempting blurs and associated large DOF is THE time it shows.:e3 :bg3:

[Rachel Hollander]

Artie - this is fabulous. All the layers of the bg and the compact flock really make the image.

TFS,
Rachel

[Marina Scarr]

This is a mighty fine image, Artie. Either comp works for me, but I find the tighter frame a tad more powerful.

[Shawn Zierman]

Totally awesome image! Either crop works imo, just really comes down to what you want to convey. Image rocks way harder without the dust spots. Great use of the density filter. I'm hearing great music in my head when I look at the image....cold play's "speed of sound" comes to mind.

[Holger Leyrer]

Very good timing in this stunning image. Great composition and light. Love the BG

[Arthur Morris]

[QUOTE=Marc Mol;958366]Nice contrast of layer/colours with perfect techs for this blur Artie.
Happens to me as well Artie, you always tend to miss 1 or 2 when attempting blurs and associated large DOF is THE time it shows.:e3 :bg3:[/QU

That's why I use the ND filters but it did not help much here....