I keep a Master File on DVD, consisting of 1 image of every bird I've ever photographed. I now stand at 589.
Its not often I can improve on 3 images in one day, here in Ottawa.
Yesterday was such a day, sun was harsh but lately in eastern Canada, we have to take what we get.
American Pipit's hardly stop moving..so when I saw this individual feeding in my direction, I got about 50 feet in front of him, layed down near the waters edge and waited...he came right by me, harsh but even light...
This 1st photo is of an American Pipit, as low to the ground as I could get, and almost to close for focusing.
Over the next few days I'll post the other 2.
Thanks for looking
Paul, You did nicely with the light. I like the bird's perky pose, fits the behavior for this species. The only think that I think mars this a bit is the blurry part of the perch. Was that dirt up against it or something? Even tho it puts the bird rather low in the frame, I think I'd crop some of it out. I feel as if the mid tones on the bird are just a bit light, but I could be wrong having only seen this species a couple times. Love the baby blue bg. Congrats on your most impressive catalog!!!
10-20-2010, 04:27 PM
Jim Fenton
Pipits don't stay still for long do they? :)
I'd try cropping the frame both top and bottom to make the subject larger in the frame.
Saturation looks fine as it resembles all of the pipits I'm not quick enough to photograph which I've been seeing around here.
10-20-2010, 06:39 PM
Andrew McLachlan
Hi Paul,
I like this one as is. Nice capture. I am wondering if the shadow under the bird is a little bit blue in tone. Looks like you are getting some very nice results from your new D700 and 300mm.
10-20-2010, 07:04 PM
Paul Lagasi
1 Attachment(s)
Thanks Everyone....I made some changes to original, whcih helped all around..
Grace...this is the way I remember this bird, background was water, removed blurry snd...
Jim...cropped it a bit
Andrew .. I removed the shade, it probably went bluish when I added the saturation?? Oh yes, Andrew D700 rocks, hated losing the crop factor but the improved quality rocks...
10-20-2010, 09:13 PM
Grace Scalzo
Good job, Paul. Bottom line, do you like the re-work better than the original??
10-20-2010, 10:55 PM
Arthur Morris
Light shmight. I love them both. Superbly sharp and perfectly exposed image of a tough, tough bird. By working right down sun angle the harsh light is not as all noticeable. In fact, the lighting here is rather pleasant. I do prefer the tighter crop without the shadow.
10-21-2010, 05:25 AM
Daniel Cadieux
Good image of a great subject. I like the repost, but the sand did not bother in the original. I got some great images of this species at Petrie, and if this is where you took this I can sort of maybe guess what your other two species are (if not, then I can't wait to see what you havein store for us!):cool:.