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Thread: Belted Kingfisher

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    BPN Member Alan Murphy's Avatar
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    Default Belted Kingfisher

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    Belted Kingfisher

    Leona, Texas

    Nikon D850, Sigma 24-70 @ 40mm, ISO 800, f18, 1/250, Multi flash

    This image of a wild and free Belted Kingfisher is baited and controlled. If your signed up for my monthly newsletter, you will have seen how I did it. If not, you can see the newsletter at this link.

    https://mailchi.mp/alanmurphyphotogr...ber-newsletter

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    Lifetime Member David Salem's Avatar
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    Wow!! Talk about capturing the moment!!
    This looks awesome Alan.
    I get your news letter and I can't believe how much time, forthought and energy that goes into some of your setup shots, especially the kingfishers.
    You are truly the king if avian setup photography. This belongs on the cover of a magazine!!
    See ya soon
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    Lifetime Member Doug Brown's Avatar
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    Over-the-top incredible Alan! The vision, the planning, the expertise that goes into capturing a shot like this is world-class. Congrats!
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    This is straight up sick Alan. Amazing what you are able to do with time and patience and hours of hard work and preparation. Agree with David 100% your set up shots are completely unrivaled in my book.

    Edit: Have to agree with Ann re the noise in water and the repeated patterns of dead fish and rocks in the front of the frame. I was so enamoured by the bird that I did not look at the rest of the shot too well. Must be a way to fix that or to place more rocks there or something? Unless bird caught the fish at the edge of the tank and you have nothing to add.
    Last edited by Isaac Grant; 02-01-2019 at 12:54 PM.

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    Pretty amazing capture Alan, congrats. I like the position of both the kingfisher and the fish. Also, interesting how the feet are positioned, nail to nail. Since your work is truly world class, I'd suggest a few things that may be considered. Respectfully, I'd suggest some other way around such a large clone/stamp as on the right and left side, the tank stones and the dead fish repeat themselves. Artifacts on both bottom and top at waterline. Also, the choice of stones in the tank should ideally replicate (color, shapes, patterns.) the stone bottom of the backdrop. I think the area that transitions from tank stones to backdrop is critical and to me bc the rocks are "smoothed" over it becomes noticeable and therefore leaves room for improvement. Since there is such a strong blue cast would there also need to be the same on the tank rocks? Lastly, the water is noisy and several drops above the surface are blue...? Thanks for these considerations and inspiration throughout the years, you're a rock star!

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    Super Moderator arash_hazeghi's Avatar
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    awesome image Alan, I can see many hours of efforts has gone into setup to be able to pull off a shot like this. It has no just artistic but educational and scientific value! cover shot for sure

    well done
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    woowwww......Extremely attractive and spectacular, your photos are always exciting

  8. #8
    BPN Member Alan Murphy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by annmpacheco View Post
    Pretty amazing capture Alan, congrats. I like the position of both the kingfisher and the fish. Also, interesting how the feet are positioned, nail to nail. Since your work is truly world class, I'd suggest a few things that may be considered. Respectfully, I'd suggest some other way around such a large clone/stamp as on the right and left side, the tank stones and the dead fish repeat themselves. Artifacts on both bottom and top at waterline. Also, the choice of stones in the tank should ideally replicate (color, shapes, patterns.) the stone bottom of the backdrop. I think the area that transitions from tank stones to backdrop is critical and to me bc the rocks are "smoothed" over it becomes noticeable and therefore leaves room for improvement. Since there is such a strong blue cast would there also need to be the same on the tank rocks? Lastly, the water is noisy and several drops above the surface are blue...? Thanks for these considerations and inspiration throughout the years, you're a rock star!

    Hey Ann, fantastic feed back. I really appreciate it and totally agree. Thanks for pointing out the cloned rock and fish. I was adding canvas and never caught that. Matching the rocks in the BG and real rocks was a nightmare, both texture wise and color balance. Appreciate you trusting me with your feedback.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Alan Murphy View Post
    Hey Ann, fantastic feed back. I really appreciate it and totally agree. Thanks for pointing out the cloned rock and fish. I was adding canvas and never caught that. Matching the rocks in the BG and real rocks was a nightmare, both texture wise and color balance. Appreciate you trusting me with your feedback.
    Thanks Alan!

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    IOTY Winner 2008 Chris van Rooyen's Avatar
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    Well it's all been said by others - I'm stunned! Incredible....what more can I say...

    The technical issue of the repetitive cloning has been mentioned already.

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    BPN Member Bill Dix's Avatar
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    Simply amazing. Ann's eagle-eye and perceptive comments notwithstanding, this is an incredible feat and beautiful image. From concept to execution, a work of great art and skill.

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    This is the most elaborate set up i have ever seen. Enjoyed reading the detailed article that you wrote on how this was accomplished. All of my back yard feeder set ups are based on your guide to songbird setup photography. Hands down the best frame i have ever seen here.

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    It goes to show you how fantastic the action is...I had not even see what Ann pointed out until read her comment. I did notice the live fish near the right edge, which I find very cool. Lots of work behind this - I don't know how you come up with these setups!

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    BPN Member William Dickson's Avatar
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    What a set up ....The perfect moment captured. I like how you kept the splash above the water level in frame...Just a thought Alan...I used to keep Discus fish and for best visual effect whilst looking into the tank, I found bogwood, and long green thin plants very effective and natural looking, Thanks for sharing, Great work..

    Will

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    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Obviously spectacular. Equally obvious is that many folks here have a lot sharper eyes than I do ...

    with love, artie
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