Into The Wide Blue Yonder.

[David Cowling]

The final chapter in my Grebe nest story. The family swim away to spend a few weeks together before separating and leading a lone existence during the winter. Taken early on a fine misty morning which obscured the far horizon.

Canon 7D2. Canon 100-400 L Mk2. Lens at 400mm

1/500 @ f 16. ISO 1600.

[Marina Scarr]

This image is SO special. It actually looks like a painting. Love the mood and story you created.

[John Robinson]

Agree with Marina Mike
Exquisite picture. Real wall hanger
jOHN

[Gabriela Plesea]

Dear David,

This is a special scene and truly heart warming, love the little one finding shelter and comfort on one of his parents' back!

I guess your plan was to bring out more colour and detail in places during processing, but the end result looks a little artificial to me. In terms of techs I feel F16 was not necessary and SS 1/500s just not enough. There's a slight halo around the characters, could be due to PP work.

If this was mine, I would go tighter on the bottom (just below the reflection) for a more pano look. Since the scene was shot on a misty morning, I would try retain the "ghostly" appearance of the protagonists.

Thank you so much for sharing,

Kind regards,

[arash_hazeghi]

I also like the mood and ambiance you created here, but I agree with Gabriella the IQ has suffered quite a bit here. The faces don't have much detail but my guess is that it's coming from the mist/fog and choice of f/16 (diffraction blur). It's unfortunate because otherwise is a nice photo.

TFS

[Daniel Cadieux]

I love the mood the image emits. Good comp. The dark halo surrounding the subjects do take away, as does the IQ, but here the story and feel trump the techs IMO.

[keith mitchell]

David the IQ bit well covered but the image content more the images content more than makes up for that for me.Fine artistic piece of work.

Keith.

[David Cowling]

Thanks to all who commented on this image. On going back to the computer I realised I have posted the wrong file copy. Here is the one I meant to post.

[keith mitchell]

David repost looks good but still prefer the rather misty look of the OP,all down to taste and what appeals to the viewer,thanks for giving us a look.

Keith.

[Bill Dix]

A very evocative image -- a real beauty. I also like the misty mood of the OP. As Daniel so well said, this is a case where mood trumps techs. Thanks for the great sequence.