Gannet Mayhem...

[Arthur Morris]

After three days of insane flight photography I had so many wonderfully sharp flight images from Bonaventure that I decided to slow down and create some intentional blurs. (Next time I will not forget my 9-stop neutral density filters so that I can avoid those tiny apertures...)

This image was created with the handheld Canon 400mm f/4 IS DO lens and the Canon EOS-1D Mark III. ISO 50. Exposure as usual: 1 2/3 stops of the white sky set manually: 1/30 sec. at f/20. On-camera fill flash at -1 stop with the Better Beamer.

This is a small crop from the right and from below, otherwise right out of the box. :)

Don't be shy; all comments welcome.

ps: Details of three new Gannets Galore trips in tomorrow's BAA Bulletin (or e-mail for details).

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Definitely works for me and thanks for the techs. Did you move the camera up and down while pressing the shutter button?

[Steve Canuel]

Interesting image. Colors look very nice together. I think the slightly visible eye centers this one and without it, the image wouldn't work for me.
Steve

[Arthur Morris]

Definitely works for me and thanks for the techs. Did you move the camera up and down while pressing the shutter button?

No, this is the tail end of a landing sequence. I followed the bird on the way down and created this one (soemwhat accidentally) as it landed. I will be trying a lot more of these when I head back up in AUG.

[Arthur Morris]

Interesting image. Colors look very nice together. I think the slightly visible eye centers this one and without it, the image wouldn't work for me. Steve

The sharpest pupil is from the flash... :)

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Love the composition Artie and the colors of the ganet and the sky all blend beautifully together making this a very striking image . There is just enough detail that we able to know exactly what is being photographed and the wonderful feeling of motion puts it over the top for me. Very artistic image !!! Thanks for all the background info too .

[Grady Weed]

I usually do not like things like this. But for all of the above reasons Judy gives, I do like this one version. It has just enough id to it and color visible in the right places to make it work for me.

[Jasper Doest]

Hi Artie,

I would have loved this if there would only have been one beak.... Besides that the movement works really well here. I love this kind of photography and the wingpose really makes this one for me.

[Krijn Trimbos]

I have looked at this a couple of times and I really like it! The diagonal blur is really cool and gives a real sense of motion and as Jasper I really like the wingposition and would also have liked the head a bit more frozen in one position. Great idea and great photo! Cheers

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Hi Artie,
I love the feeling of controlled chaos that this image imparts. I always enjoy looking at 'out of the box' bird photography
Rgards,
Nicki.

[John Chardine]

I'm always working so hard to get sharp images that doing something like this would be the farthest thing from my mind. Very nice Artie. You have opened up a lot of possibilities here. I wonder what effect you would have produced by setting the flash to "second curtain synch", or is this what you did?

[carole wiley]

This just isn't fair. You cannot be a mere mortal.

[Arthur Morris]

I'm always working so hard to get sharp images that doing something like this would be the farthest thing from my mind. Very nice Artie. You have opened up a lot of possibilities here. I wonder what effect you would have produced by setting the flash to "second curtain synch", or is this what you did?

Most likely is that I forgot to switch from High Speed Synch to rear curtain in the heat of the action... :D

[Grace Scalzo]

Most likely is that I forgot to switch from High Speed Synch to rear curtain in the heat of the action... :D

Artie, where could I learn more about what you are talking about here? Love the image, and the underlying creativitiy. Aug is booked for us this year, hope you do this IPT in 09.

[Arthur Morris]

This just isn't fair. You cannot be a mere mortal.

Hi Carole, You are too, too kind :) :) :)

In truth, I have no great talent other than to have worked long and hard at what I love. Just a Jewish kid from Brooklyn...

[Arthur Morris]

Artie, where could I learn more about what you are talking about here? Love the image, and the underlying creativitiy. Aug is booked for us this year, hope you do this IPT in 09.

For starters, in the owner's manual for your flash. There is a great new thread on High Speed Synch in Educational Resources.

The theory is that by setting Rear Curtain Synch the blur will be behind the bird rather than in front of the bird but it does not always work that way even when RCS is set on the flash and on the camera....

Lastly, there is a big section on creating pleasing blurs in AP II. :)

[Alexander Koenders]

it looks as Art.

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

Very artistic and interesting image Artie!!!

[Grace Scalzo]

Thank you for answering, Artie. I will read and study.

[Mike Tracy]

You are breaking the mold with this image and I am not adhering to "our" rules by just saying............ cool !

[Ken Watkins]

I do not know whether I should be the first to disagree but I actually do not like this style at all, but it is however becoming more fashionable, and wins prizes! Not my cup of tea.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks to all for sharing their thoughts.