My first post - Canadian Goose

[andysmothers]

Hello, everyone.
My first time here on BPN, thanks for the invite Artie.

I will complete the formal "introduction" shortly, but wanted to share my most recent shot with the critique committee. :D I am thick skinned and still learning (on the nature/bird side), so be candid. (I shoot Nikon - from D2Hs, D2Xs and Fuji S2/S5s --- just for your reference)

Background: Group of 6 Canadian Geese landed on the water in the backyard of my home in Mandeville, LA.
Had time to grab my D2X and couple lenses, then decided to give the ole 500mm f/4P a whirl w/o TC and supported only on fence post --- kinda hard with MF and no VR but I got it done. (basically) ---No PP, just a crop was performed. (small JPG attached)

Anyhoo, very honored and glad to be here. Thanks for your time and critique.
Cheers,
Andy :)

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Welcome, Andy! Very nice first post. I like the pose and reflection and would give it a bit more room. The crop is a bit tight for my taste. Keep them coming!

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Andy,
Welcome to the BPN family...:) I like your composition, nice and sharp with good details. I would give him more room on top...Once again, BIG WELCOME...:D:cool:

[andysmothers]

Welcome, Andy! Very nice first post. I like the pose and reflection and would give it a bit more room. The crop is a bit tight for my taste. Keep them coming!

Thanks. I will resubmit uncropped. It is a little tight due to the fixed focal of the 500mm and my proximity to the subject matter. (In other words, I am not sure how much room I have to play with due to the hefty glass taken vertically) ;)

I hope to learn more from the masters here.....
Thanks again.
Andy

[Daniel Cadieux]

Welcome aboard, and nice first post. I also find the crop tight. Tough to expose...check out the blown cheek patch next to the detail-less forehead/neck. Perhaps some fill-flash would have opened up those dark areas.

Although I'm sure some of these geese would love to become permanent residents up here they are officially known as "Canada" Geese rather than "Canadian" ;-)

Looking forward to more!! :-)

[Robert Amoruso]

Welcome Andy,

You have already gotten some good advice but I wish to second the "give more room" recommendation. Hope to see more images soon.

[andysmothers]

Thanks everyone. I have a lot to learn considering the quality I seen thus far on this site. WOW, great work. I have quite a lot of PJ/stringer sports action, landscape and model photog experience, but birds are a whole new breed of fun for me. I applaud the responses received thus far and look forward to learning and contributing to the mix as much as possible. Thanks to everyone for a wonderful site.

I agree completely with the critiques.....

Responses:

1. sorry about the nationalization of the "Canadian" Goose, Sam..... that is what we call them! Spot on about the blown out over exposure and improper metering of the goose (specifically the neck and tail areas) - Thanks for commenting, I should have tightened and metered for the bird with at least a center weight, or spot vs. the matrix......I think that is where I lost some key detail.

2. Yes, agree that the crop is too tight --- will publish the revised uncropped selection this evening for further review. I didn't have a great deal of flexibility due to the fixed focal of the 500mm and the location. Good call, I see it clearly now.

Good to be here. I thank you all for the advice and criticism. It is appreciated.
-Andy

[andysmothers]

Here is my 2nd photo submission from this series. Let me know what you think....Critique away and thanks.

Cheers,
Andy

[Axel Hildebrandt]

The composition works better in the second image. I think it needs a bit CW rotation and there is a sharpening halo. You might want to post it in a separate thread, so more people will see it and please keep in mind to post the techs.

[Dave Phillips]

welcome Andy, I am up in Shreveport.
word of learned advice: read a s many threads as you can and read all the critiques....amazing
what you can learn from some of the best

like your second Canada Goose BTW, but best to post in new thread as Axel suggested

[andysmothers]

Thanks guys. I tried to open a new thread a it said "Can open one thread every 48 hours" so I decided to just add it on this one.

I am learning and thanks.