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Thread: What to do, what to do?

  1. #1
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Default What to do, what to do?

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    On our last morning of the Galapagos trip, we had time for a short panga ride at Black Turtle Cove. We ran into a spectacular concentration of diving Blue-Footed Boobies. The problem is that it was nearly impossible to make a good image... Most folks deleted nearly all of their images. Here, and below, are two different approaches. Do let me know which you like and why.

    Fast shutter speed version: Canon 70-200mm f/4 L IS lens with the 1.4X TC (handheld at 98mm) with the EOS 40D. ISO 800. 1/640 sec at f/5.6 determined by histogram check.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

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  2. #2
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Slow shutter speed version: Canon 24-105 mm IS L lens (handheld at 84mm) with the EOS 40D. ISO 200. Evaluative Metering +1 stop: 1/15 sec. at f/20.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  3. #3
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    Hi Artie,

    What a cool sight that must have been! First of all I like both images, but would choose the first one (fast shutterspeed). While the second one is more artistic, the boobies aren't recognisable as such which is the most important reason for me choosing the first one. The first one tells me something about the species, their behavior and their environment and I really love the action! The second one shows some great patterns and colours but for me doesn't completely visualize the species.

    Cheers,

    Krijn

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    Dear Artie,
    Must have been a great trip - one of my 3 trip of a lifetime targets!
    I really like the first image as it makes the statement about how the bird feeds and in fact you are able to discern that it is the blue-footed boobies feeding! Without that reference it is just a blurred image of something. The second image is more artsie and someone would have no clue as to the importance of the species!
    Wonderful,
    Best,
    Michael

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    Well, I go with the second one, that kind of creativity and the personal aproach to such situations is something that I always ALWAYS try to aproach every time I am out in the field, the first one is just a documentary shot as I see it, not even a great documentary one (if I may :) ) as the birs are too small and the BG doesn't really help to show how actually magnificent these birds are. Looks you have had a wonderfull time Artie! Congratulations!

  6. #6
    Maxis Gamez
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    Hi Artie,

    Good experience for sure and I would of love to witness such event but for my personal taste, I don't like any of them.

    Respectfully,

    Maxis

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    Hi Artie,
    I love the ss in the first but I like the composition in the second. The angle of the birds is nice.
    I do however like the fact that you can ID the birds in the first one. So, I prefer both. LOL ;)

    Respectfully,
    Sharna

  8. #8
    Ed Prete
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    hey artie, first one feels way too static with no flow or direction to the image (IMO), but the second one I like a great deal as you've really captured the experience of the motion and chaos, and would like it even more with a little bit removed from the right. This should be in your available list of prints to purchase. Your test reminds me of the "chaos and order" imagery test in my college Art Crit class.
    Last edited by Ed Prete; 07-15-2008 at 05:28 PM.

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    BPN Member Steve Maxson's Avatar
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    At least it wasn't dark and drizzling like it was last year when we saw the feeding frenzy. I prefer the first image because of the sharpness. I've never been a big fan of the blurred look, but that's just me. I think it's an acquired taste. :)

  10. #10
    Beth Goffe
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    Artie, your experiences have shown that women don't prefer the blurred images but I have to say I prefer image #2. It's got a pleasing painterly feel to it. I do like the splashes in the first one but the second works for me much better.

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    Hi Artie,
    I go with the second every time - the first is a shot that many photographers might visualise but the second is far more original and creative. Let's face it, this would never be used as a nature ID shot so it doesn't matter that you can't see what the birds are!
    Best regards,
    Nicki

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    Lifetime Member Bill Foxworthy's Avatar
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    Well, I greatly admire your images Artie and love most of them but I have to agree with Maxis as I do not think these are up to your standards at all. The first needs to be cropped to make a closer image (imho) and the second needs the mangrove (or whatever tree it is) to be in focus as this looks like camera movement to me. This is sort of what I call wishing for a good image instead of being a good image. (imho)
    Please excuse if this is out of line or inappropriate.
    The viewfinder is my guidance.

  13. #13
    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    With all the splashing action in the first I can't say that it's way too static! ;-) Those very splashes are what Ilike about the first. I also like the diffferent chaotic positions of the birds and feet dangling every which way. This is one of those images that I suspect a small size does not do justice to.

    As for the second, I'm personally not a fan of such blurs...but I'm open to new ideas, so perhaps if the trees were sharp but with the birds and splashes blurred? :-)
    Last edited by Daniel Cadieux; 07-15-2008 at 09:02 PM.

  14. #14
    David Hemmings
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    I like the first one much more Artie. I think that the water splashes imply action and give the birds a kind of movement without moving. I can feel the flurry of activity that you must have seen while you were there, pretty cool, the splashes make it.

  15. #15
    Jay Tan
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    I love blurs so I prefer the 2nd one. But wonder if using a slightly higher shutter like 1/50 or 1/60 will make the birds more distinguishable.

  16. #16
    Brian Wong
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    Hi Artie!

    I prefer the first one. To me the multiple high splashes are very dramatic ... and I can "feel" (and hear) the power in the image. I love seeing all the birds in their various attack positions. It looks like a wild time! I'm with Daniel in that the small size probably does not do this justice.

  17. #17
    Ákos Lumnitzer
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    Hi Artie,

    I prefer the first one if I have to pick. But as Maxis and Bill said, I don't particularly find either an Artie image. I am glad most of your work beats these hands down, otherwise my inspiration would have to come from elsewhere. :)

  18. #18
    Peregrine Craig Nash
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    Very interesting all the comments. I'm afraid I am with Maxis on this one and agee with Bill re the first being cropped slightly.

  19. #19
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    What I like about the first one are the two sets of blue feet near the center of the frame and the synchronous splashes. I like the second one a bit better. IAC, different strokes for different folks. Thanks to all for their honest comments.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  20. #20
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    First to me is an interesting documentation of a fascinating scene.
    Second doesnt work for me. As others has said, a sharper background, accompanying the blurred motion would work better.

  21. #21
    c.w. moynihan
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    Artistic, the second shot. The first one is the better behavior documentation shot. Must have been great to witnesss live.

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