Common Eider-scape

[Jasper Doest]

Hi all,

It's been a while :o...

I just returned from another trip to high arctic Svalbard. I spend most of my time photographing arctic foxes once again. I returned with a good series of interaction between the mother and her foxkits...but what impressed me most were the weather conditions.
Over the past 5 years I’ve witnessed the fast changing weather conditions on this arctic archipellago. Last year we had many rainbows...a beautiful sight, but also a clear warning signal to all of us. Svalbard used to be known as one of the driest places on this planet...but this year it was raining during most of my stay. Also the increased tourism industry can not be good for such a fragile environment. Some of them don’t even seem to know the difference between a fox and a goose (SERIOUS!). Worried about all this I left Svalbard...knowing that I’ll be back next spring. I’ll continue to use my photography to tell a story about the natural beauty of this planet. Photography can be such a powerful tool to tell such stories and to raise awareness about the state our planet is in. Some people say it is all because of natural fluctuations...Well, even if all these changes are natural fluctuations, it wouldn’t harm if we all would be just a bit more protective towards our planet, would it?
The dynamic weather conditions however proved to be very photogenic. I was really hoping that a flock of birds would pass this amazing scenery and fortunately these common eiders were very cooperative.

Nikon D300
Nikon AF-S 300/2.8 VR
1/1000 @ f/11
ISO400, RAW
Handheld

Enjoy your summer!

[Krijn Trimbos]

A beautiful eiderscape buddy! The detail in the rocks and the clouds make this one for me. You have probably thought this through already and concluded that this was the way to go, but I am curious as to how this would look without the two bottom eiders as they don't pop as much as the rest of the flock which takes away power from this image IMO. I would probably also take out the little black patch that is cut of on the right side of the frame. Hope you are doing ok, keep cool!

[Jasper Doest]

Hi Krijn, thanks for your comments...I know exactly what you mean....I thought about that....but decided to leave them in...it's nature you know :-) It's different from cloning out a little branch in the background....I did not wat to touch the essence of this photograph. But from a pure compositional point of view I know exactly what you mean...

[Michael Bertelsen]

Jasper,

I love this, it is a very powerful image, but even more important is what you wrote about our earth.
In our norther region, the ice is disappearing at such a rate that giant cruise ships can now enter areas that has never been entered before.
Can you imagine the problems stemming from this, sewage, garbage, mass wildlife distubance.

Michael

[Jim Fenton]

I might have been tempted to remove the bottom two birds, but then again...they were in fact there :)

Excellent image just the way that it is.

[Vincent Grafhorst]

Jasper, I am sure most nature photographers are well aware of the fragility of our planet and species living on it and of its declining state. Unfortunately it seems that the majority of people don't seem to be worried or are even totally ignorant of the facts. If you ask me the main problem is our numbers... there are just way too many people on this planet and that's only getting worse every day... Yes, do you really think nature photography can raise awareness to such an extent that it will start changing attitudes and behaviour? Well, the least we can do is try I suppose!

Like this image a lot and don't really mind the two birds that are 'out of line'. I do wonder how this would look with the ground underneath the birds included in the frame to give it some sort of an anchor point. (But maybe it is all mountains there).

[Ramon M. Casares]

Great shot and what you say it is definetely something to be worriend about, but that is just another thing that should motivate us to keep going and to try harder! Congratulations and let's keep doing what we love, I am convinced that it does make a difference.

[Fabs Forns]

Hi Jasper, glad to have you back, I don't mind the two birds, are they out of line? They kind of look very natural to me, that's how they fly, no?

Amazing scenery and great read.
Keep up the good work!

[Jasper Doest]

If you ask me the main problem is our numbers... there are just way too many people on this planet and that's only getting worse every day... Yes, do you really think nature photography can raise awareness to such an extent that it will start changing attitudes and behaviour? Well, the least we can do is try I suppose!

Thanks for your thoughts Vincent! I don't think the numbers are the biggest problems....it is HOW these massive numbers are dealing with their surroundings. I mean...the ways of consumption is the problem IMO...not the amount of consumers. And I do think that there are loads of nature photographers (or so called nature lovers) who could learn from that. Some of them do major damage to their surroundings without even knowing. And nature photographers are becoming a serious problem down here in the Netherlands....not because of their numbers...but because of the way they behave.
I certainly believe that nature photography & video can raise awareness to such an extent that it will start changing attitudes and behaviour. Don't forget that images play a major role within our community. And the effect of those images should never be underestimated. The Pro-Tour for example was an event that was there to raise awareness...and if you're able to change only one persons way of thinking through your images, it seems worth to me.

[Leroy Laverman]

Really nice image. The mountains almost look like crashing waves on a very stormy sea. The light is especially nice. Your message is right on as well.

[Glenn Bartley]

Really neat image Jasper.

[Stephen Stephen]

Lovely capture Jasper.

[Steve Wheeler]

This is just outstanding Jasper.... One really gets a feel of the environment.

I commend you on your efforts and thoughts regarding the state of our planet.

Steve

[Vincent Grafhorst]

Thanks for your thoughts Vincent! I don't think the numbers are the biggest problems....it is HOW these massive numbers are dealing with their surroundings. I mean...the ways of consumption is the problem IMO...not the amount of consumers. And I do think that there are loads of nature photographers (or so called nature lovers) who could learn from that. Some of them do major damage to their surroundings without even knowing. And nature photographers are becoming a serious problem down here in the Netherlands....not because of their numbers...but because of the way they behave.
I certainly believe that nature photography & video can raise awareness to such an extent that it will start changing attitudes and behaviour. Don't forget that images play a major role within our community. And the effect of those images should never be underestimated. The Pro-Tour for example was an event that was there to raise awareness...and if you're able to change only one persons way of thinking through your images, it seems worth to me.

Jasper, I agree it is about HOW, but also about HOW MUCH. Of course we are all quilty of living lives that have a negative impact on our planet, also you and me, and obviously some much more than others. I do think photography and video can help in backing up research and when used in the right way, but it will never be the main factor that can bring about real changes in our behaviour. Changing one person's way of thinking out of billions is not gonna help the planet... But don't get me wrong I am 'on your side' and hope you will achieve a lot in this respect with your images, but to be honest if changing the world is your main concern, change professions, become a politician. It's a bit like rock 'roll, it does not really change the world...;)

[Jasper Doest]

Jasper, I agree it is about HOW, but also about HOW MUCH. Of course we are all quilty of living lives that have a negative impact on our planet, also you and me, and obviously some much more than others. I do think photography and video can help in backing up research and when used in the right way, but it will never be the main factor that can bring about real changes in our behaviour. Changing one person's way of thinking out of billions is not gonna help the planet... But don't get me wrong I am 'on your side' and hope you will achieve a lot in this respect with your images, but to be honest if changing the world is your main concern, change professions, become a politician. It's a bit like rock 'roll, it does not really change the world...;)

Vince, I don't really think this discussion is appropriate in the avian forum, perhaps we should continue elsewhere. Perhaps we could start a general discussion. But I think 'our' biggest problem is that we're not idealistic enough. Sure, one can not change the world on its own....and I didn't became a photographer to change the world....but if we all keep thinking: "changing one person's way of thinking out of billions is not gonna help the planet"...than it never will happen. And actually....I think the impact of a photograph can be much much stronger than the words of a politician. ;) And I started this thread, as there are many photographers who never thought about their images playing an important role...or that photography could have such a major impact. Have fun out in the field!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like this image a lot! Great habitat, light, the shape of the flock and no overlap. Thanks for sharing!

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

It is not politicians that change the world but individuals like you and me. Think what happens when you throw a pebble into water - the ripples spread ever outward. This is what happens to every action that we make, for better or worse, so yes, I do believe that one photograph has the power to change the way we think. OK, I'll stop moralising now....

[Arthur Morris]

This is obviously a very dramatic bird-scape. I would lose the two bottom birds and crop from the right and the bottom. What reduces the impact for me is that the birds are flying slightly away from you. No merges is a big plus.

[Nikolay Staykov - shotlandetsa]

breathtaking !!! I can wish only for seeing it larger, at least 1024 px :)

[Anita Rakestraw]

Jasper, beautiful image, looks like a lovely but cold place to be! Enjoyed the discussion of philosophy about our planet's health, and admire that you are concerned. One thing, though: don't ever, ever become a politician! LOL!

[Mike Lentz]

How ironic... I was reading this thread and REM was playing "Its the end of the world" on the radio!! I digress.
This is a beautiful bird scape type image, it captures my eye and attention a bit longer than the standard full frame I.D. type of capture. :)

[Jay Tan]

Magnificent capture of the landscape and birds together. The mood is definitely awe inspiring and your writeup makes the image even more precious!

[AshokKhosla]

Lovely image - reminds me of Lars Jonsson's paintings. Fabulous.