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Thread: Hypnot-eyes

  1. #1
    Avian Moderator Brian Sump's Avatar
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    Default Hypnot-eyes

    Name:  20210402-Horned-Grebe-portrait-Brian-Sump-BSR50797-6000px-DD-LD-touch-FULL.jpg
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    The Horned Grebe has been on my shot list for some time. Friday I was pleasantly surprised to find this breeding adult along the dam in a local preserve.

    I am mesmerized by its eyes....

    Canon R5
    840mm
    Handheld
    ISO 3200
    1/640
    f6.3

    LR and PS, DN. Almost no trickery, just healed a few tiny bright specks.

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    This is quite spectacular, love everything about it!

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    Wow! yes...spectacular Brian. Your opinion here if I may: I'm in two minds regarding the reflection. I think I'd like it cropped just above the head reflection, or take the shot from further away to get the whole Grebe reflection. WDYT? In any case that is one great looking Grebe!

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Who doesn't like this? What a beauty, wonderful colours super angle, super details in the dark and light plumage, it's a gem!

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    Hypnotic indeed... Awesome treatment of sublime subject. TFS

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    One more great photo Brian to add to the collection. Details and exposure perfect. As David said sublime only pick wish it were mine. TFS

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    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
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    Very pretty, as nice a close up as I have seen of this species...
    Dan Kearl

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    BPN Member William Dickson's Avatar
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    Not much wrong with this....if anything...Love it Brian...Great colours and the pose shows the bird nicely....Well done...but like me you will go for a 'better' one...That's why it is so addictive ....

    Brilliant work

    Will

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    I love this species! I've only ever photographed them in winter-plumage, so I am hoping by saying this openly will reverse my fortunes lol. Not much to say except wowie. Extra nice sharpness and colours. I'd likely crop up just enough to hide the reflected base of the bill (or fill that in with some black), just to strengthen that bottom edge.

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    Avian Moderator Brian Sump's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jack williamson View Post
    This is quite spectacular, love everything about it!
    Jack, I appreciate that and glad you love it!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Paul Burdett View Post
    Wow! yes...spectacular Brian. Your opinion here if I may: I'm in two minds regarding the reflection. I think I'd like it cropped just above the head reflection, or take the shot from further away to get the whole Grebe reflection. WDYT? In any case that is one great looking Grebe!
    Paul, thank you so much.

    Your question is a superb one, specifically because I spent way more time than usual cropping this one. The challenge I ran into was primarily balance. To take more off of the bottom left me either/both with too little in the rear or too little in front (or too centered). I wanted to leave enough room to swim into, yet it started to get really close to his rump. But I totally get where you're coming from and agree. I also tried one with the whole reflection but then it got so far back we couldn't enjoy the finer details the way I'd hoped.

    Great comments!

    Quote Originally Posted by Jonathan Ashton View Post
    Who doesn't like this? What a beauty, wonderful colours super angle, super details in the dark and light plumage, it's a gem!
    Jonathan, grateful to read such positive comments. Thank you!

    Quote Originally Posted by David Roach View Post
    Hypnotic indeed... Awesome treatment of sublime subject. TFS
    David, thank you for your comments as always!

    Quote Originally Posted by kevin Hice View Post
    One more great photo Brian to add to the collection. Details and exposure perfect. As David said sublime only pick wish it were mine. TFS
    Kevin, your words are not taken lightly my friend. Thank you very much and glad you enjoyed it!

    Quote Originally Posted by dankearl View Post
    Very pretty, as nice a close up as I have seen of this species...
    Dan, that is super meaningful. Thank you very much!

    Quote Originally Posted by William Dickson View Post
    Not much wrong with this....if anything...Love it Brian...Great colours and the pose shows the bird nicely....Well done...but like me you will go for a 'better' one...That's why it is so addictive ....

    Brilliant work

    Will
    Will, I'll take those compliments from you my friend. You're posting some real gems lately. And you're right, there's always that slightly better shot out there that we always shoot for; but not to take away from the enjoyment of getting something we've worked for a while to capture either :-)

    Quote Originally Posted by Daniel Cadieux View Post
    I love this species! I've only ever photographed them in winter-plumage, so I am hoping by saying this openly will reverse my fortunes lol. Not much to say except wowie. Extra nice sharpness and colours. I'd likely crop up just enough to hide the reflected base of the bill (or fill that in with some black), just to strengthen that bottom edge.
    Daniel, me too. So much character going on and I hope you get one that exceeds your expectations :-)

    Great point on the crop. See my notes to Paul above; this one gave me a bit of a fit. But totally see what you're suggesting. Here's a mild edit as suggested:

    Name:  20210402-Horned-Grebe-portrait-Brian-Sump-BSR50797-6000px-DD55-LD20-touch-FULL-tighter-v2.jpg
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  11. #11
    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Brian .... just another stunner on all counts !!!
    I do lift my hat for your work , love it .
    Superb processing and well captured in the field !!!

    Great to see that you are able to shoot at this slow SS and have still a great technical output .... with the used kit .

    Gorgeous stuff .... lets see more .

    TFS Andreas

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    BPN Member William Dickson's Avatar
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    All been said Brian....and I totally agree with the comments....Perfecto my man....Perfecto.....I like the OP slightly better...on my monitor..

    Will

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    Very nice to see full breeding plumage. Like the repost with crop.

    Well done.

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    Smooth frame here. Love that red eye. Low angle is bang on.

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