Results 1 to 23 of 23

Thread: At the back of the bus on a foggy morning - common loon chick

  1. #1
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    SW Michigan
    Posts
    14,112
    Threads
    820
    Thank You Posts

    Default At the back of the bus on a foggy morning - common loon chick

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    This fellow was imaged 10 days ago, taking a rest on the parents tail. The young chicks spend 50-60% of their time riding on the adults to stay warm and rest.

    D4 600VR f/4 1/800 ISO 800 pedestal mounted in the bottom of my little boat. Flash.

    Post: Rotated to level, selective sharpening, NR to background, cleaned up a couple of small bits in water

    His sibling is right behind him, pushing him to the back of the bus.

    Advice and comments always appreciated.

    Cheers

    Randy
    MY BPN ALBUMS

    "Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy" Sir Isaac Newton

  2. #2
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    370
    Threads
    100
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Another cracking Loon shot Randy, nice shallow DOF putting emphasis on the chick at the back of the bus.

  3. #3
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Guelph, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    8,509
    Threads
    827
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    As Joe eloquently said the DOF works here very well, Randy. Love the composition and the idea behind.

  4. #4
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I like this a lot. Especially for the fact that you pushed the shutter button. But. It would have killed as a vertical as I am dying to see the complete reflection of the adult's head. IAC, a unique perspective. And I like the foggy look as well.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  5. #5
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    6,588
    Threads
    643
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I very clever image Randy. I really like the tonality. Is that the level of vignetting that the Nikon 600 VR produces wide open?

  6. #6
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    SW Michigan
    Posts
    14,112
    Threads
    820
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Thanks everyone for the comments.

    John - there normally is a slight amount of vignetting wide open, but I introduced a smidgen more while post processing.

    Artie - Here is a vertical.


    Cheers

    Randy
    MY BPN ALBUMS

    "Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy" Sir Isaac Newton

  7. #7
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Sarasota, Florida, United States
    Posts
    3,522
    Threads
    475
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I do like the vertical version better.

  8. #8
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Sarasota, Florida, United States
    Posts
    3,522
    Threads
    475
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Randy, do you have one with the adult's head sideway?

  9. #9
    Forum Participant christopher galeski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    ENGLAND LANCASHIRE
    Posts
    5,106
    Threads
    360
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    different Randy,and I like it,like them both,and have improved the repost sharpening the chick a tad.thanks.

  10. #10
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Posts
    1,997
    Threads
    86
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    LOVE this image, and either version works for me. I feel like I'm seeing something fresh and different here, and I dig it. The adult's head is turned just enough to get a bit of the bill in profile and imo that works perfectly. This low angled, chick focused composition almost makes me feel as though we have the POV of the other parent loon following behind....

  11. #11
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Posts
    2,812
    Threads
    180
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Very unique Randy,like the re post a little more, love the eye contact with the camera from the chick

  12. #12
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Randy Stout View Post
    Thanks everyone for the comments.

    Artie - Here is a vertical.

    Cheers

    Randy
    Thanks Randy. Is this from the same original or did you add canvas? As presented, I'd love to see it as 3X2 with the added room above? Hard to add canvas with all the gradients going on.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  13. #13
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    SW Michigan
    Posts
    14,112
    Threads
    820
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Artie:

    I went back to the original file to generate the repost. I had the room below, but had to add to the top. I mocked up a 3/2 crop, lots of open space above then, but will try a version. Would you prefer equal clear space above the head and below the reflection?

    Thanks for your input.

    Cheers

    Randy
    MY BPN ALBUMS

    "Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy" Sir Isaac Newton

  14. #14
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    That's what I figgered. The trick was a vertical original... From the re-post I'd like a little more below and a lot more on top to get to 2X3 :).
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  15. #15
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    SW Michigan
    Posts
    14,112
    Threads
    820
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Artie:

    Thanks for the clarification. For the loons I shoot with a right angle finder to get the low perspective, so a vertical is a challenge, but I will give it a try!

    Cheers


    Randy
    MY BPN ALBUMS

    "Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy" Sir Isaac Newton

  16. #16
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Randy Stout View Post
    Artie:

    Thanks for the clarification. For the loons I shoot with a right angle finder to get the low perspective, so a vertical is a challenge, but I will give it a try!

    Cheers


    Randy
    Yes, that would certainly seem to put a damper on doing verticals unless you can turn the thing.... I've never used one. YAW.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  17. #17
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    SW Michigan
    Posts
    14,112
    Threads
    820
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Artie:

    Here is my final repost on this thread. I do like the comp. this way. Thanks again.

    Shooting with a right angle finder and focal lengths of 600mm and up is an acquired skill for sure.

    Cheers

    Randy
    MY BPN ALBUMS

    "Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy" Sir Isaac Newton

  18. #18
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Perfect and extremely well done on the Photoshop end.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  19. #19
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Randy, love the 'focus' on the youngster at the back, and a great pose from him/her too. Comp wise, I like both versions, the vertical shows off more reflection, and space on top to swim into, but the OP works well too, with youngster looking out to the RHS.

  20. #20
    BPN Member vishaljadhav's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Pune , India
    Posts
    1,711
    Threads
    94
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I love this composition
    great image and the latest processing puts it over the top

  21. #21
    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Portland, Oregon
    Posts
    8,825
    Threads
    1,355
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Very unique and interesting photo Randy.
    I much prefer the OP with the space on the right.
    Dan Kearl

  22. #22
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Nashua, New Hampshire, United States
    Posts
    1,280
    Threads
    260
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    All positives on what you did Randy. I am coming late to this thread and see all the versions at one time. I like the first vertical best but I lean towards tighter crops than most people. I do feel the last on has a tad too much on the top. I am not thinking of composition ratios; I am thinking empty space.

  23. #23
    BPN Member Sandy Witvoet's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Northern Michigan
    Posts
    926
    Threads
    27
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    What a unique moment, Randy! Three chicks!!! What a boat... er "bus-load"! Love how the blue-gray BG not only complements the OOF parent, but helps the viewer focus on the back-of-bus brown chick and siblings. My preferred comp is the OP...chick (actually "chicks") are more "horizontal" than vertical in shape (well, at this angle the parent is kinda horizontal too), ... it doesn't overly emphasize the parent with extra space or full reflection. Lovely!
    (Our Loons here are still on-nest! Actually nest #4... if successful, due to hatch July 4 weekend... yikes!)

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics