Inconsiderate Bather

[Morkel Erasmus]

I played around with slow shutter speeds during my visit to Zimanga Private Game Reserve and their specialised bird hides last month - the idea being to capture some birds static and sharp, and the ones bathing in a blurred flurry. What do you think of this one??

Techs:
Nikon D3s
Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
f9.0 | 1/60 SS | ISO-450

[John Robinson]

Morkel
I am sorry friend but as you know Iam not keen on this sort of pool setups. This somehow does not work for me. Others will love it ! No hard feelings
John

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

These images are almost becoming a trademark for Zimanga!

Personally I feel the blur on the bathing bird is a little excessive and if the other birds were not in the picture I would have blamed hand shake. The in-focus birds rescue it to some degree. Maybe a 1/125s shutterspeed would have done the trick? Beautiful colors & BG!

[Ian Wilson]

Hi Morkel. I like the idea but much prefer all birds in focus as one can achieve with a multiple high-speed flash setup. One can still get the streaking water droplets with the flash set-up especially if there is direct sunlight. Regards, Ian.

[keith mitchell]

Hi Morkel,top marks for trying something different, looks like you could get some great reflection and I do like the nice BG that set up gives you.

Cheers Keith.

[vishaljadhav]

I like the idea , colours are sweet
the action makes it lively and interesting

[Marina Scarr]

This is such a fun image. It tells a great story without the bird bathing being in focus. You chose just the right shutter speed for the water droplets which are now thin lines. Really works well.

PS: Even funnier, is that the bathing bird has turned its butt toward the other 2. :)

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Mork, this hide really gives one an eye level perspective of the subjects that come to the water, and I really like how you have placed the sharp waxbill centrally. A great angled pose from him too. The slow shutter speed works well on the bathing weaver, it really gives the sense of motion, and the flying droplets shown as 'sparkles' of fireworks - if that makes sense.

[Shawn Zierman]

I think it's delightful...I love how colorful the subjects are, and the yellow, blue, yellow arrangement works very well...That bird on the left looks like trouble anyway...I don't know about inconsiderate...maybe...it kind of looks like one of those goofy "angry birds" from that video game, if you are familiar....

[Daniel Cadieux]

I like the concept. Fun image for sure with lots of possible captions. Lots of sprinkling water that adds lots of interest. I think the bird on our right needs a bit more sharpening and its yellows toned down. All in all I'm on the fence with this one, but it made me smile...so it's balanced more on the "like it" side :-)

[Binu John]

Very interesting shot and I like your idea! I also like the POV, water splash and the BG! TFS

[Morkel Erasmus]

thank you all for your helpful comments