Background as Important as Subject

[Fabs Forns]

A very common and not attractive subject to many, as a Coot, could like like a star in the proper background. Remember that almost all the time, the background could make or destroy an image.

D3, 200-400/4 plus 1.7X
Av wide open at f/6.7
-2/3 Ev because of the darkness on the water
yield 1/1250 s/s
ISO 800
no noise reduction applied

Santee Lakes, California

[Glenn Bartley]

Good point Fabs. And a lovely coot image. FOr me I would just wish for more of a profile type pose.

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

I Iove the red sharp eye!

[Doug Brown]

Point well taken, Fabs. That water is beautiful.

[Rich Ikerd]

Excellent point Fabs. And you've illustrated it here with a wonderful image of a not so wonderful subject. I especially like all of the great detail you have in the coot itself. Nicely done.

[Michael Rosenbaum]

Good to see you back and posting, Fabs. The water is magical and detail in the coot is excellent. Composition is strong. One question--if the water and bird were dark, why use -2/3Ev (wouldn't that make the water and coot even darker?)?

[Fabs Forns]

Good to see you back and posting, Fabs. The water is magical and detail in the coot is excellent. Composition is strong. One question--if the water and bird were dark, why use -2/3Ev (wouldn't that make the water and coot even darker?)?

Meter is designed to make everything gray. Whites would be grey and you need to overexpose, blacks would be gray and you need to underexpose. I am talking about the total reading of the scene. If you are using spot metering, your compensation would change.

Good question ;)

[Michael Rosenbaum]

Thanks for the clarification, Fabs.

[John Cooper]

You're quite correct there Fabs, that 'autumn' colour reflecting in the water is a studying in itself !! And all of a sudden the dreary coot takes on a new image!! Nice one!!

[Jeff Nadler]

Hi Fabs! Your point is so true that over the past few years, I have successfully trained my mind and eyes to scan and study the foreground and background on equal weight with the subject. I now often do not take a photo of a good subject, if the background is obvious image-ruiner. Nice photo! I'm sitting here crying (almost) with a card problem. See my digital post.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great water colors and pattern. I don't know why coots have such a bad rep, I really like them. :)

[Tony Whitehead]

Great image Fabs. Another vote for coots - all birds are good:D

[Brian Wong]

Hi Fabs!

The water colors looks FABulous! I am curious if you applied any any special treatment to them ... the water in the background has a really nice wispy effect ... that looks like a much slower shutter speed. Very pretty!