Mute Swan - white on white

[Gerald Kelberg]

I was photographing Crested Grebes in a local lake when I chanced upon this beautiful swan. He was actually engaging in a dispute with a couple of Egyptian Geese - thus the raised wings. I couldn't resist and this was the best of several shots.

I really like the hi-key effect of white on white, but am not sure that I am really getting the best out of it. Would appreciate any guidance or suggestions.

Canon 1D MIII, 500 f/4 with 1.4 extension (700 mm)
1/320 sec at f/7.1 ISO 800
Hand held

Thanks,

Gerald

[Lance Peters]

Hi Gerald - like him the raised wing pose. Good HA and eye contact was keeping his eye on you.

He needs some CW Rotation - looks like he is swimming down hill. Would lighten and sharpen the eye just a tad.

I am not on a CC monitor at the moment - but looks like it may have a blue/cyan colour cast.

Keep them coming.

[Mark Fuge]

I would agree with Lance. I note the color cast as well. Easily rectified.

I would also do a little cropping. Given the right border area, I would reduce the left open area a little, to make it about 2 times the open area of the right border. Actually I would like a little more behind the bird as well, if it is in the image area.

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Gerald

Nice looking bird and would love seeing him interacting with Egyptians ... those never back down :)

Strong eye contact does it for me here !!! Agree with suggestions and particularly would like more room all around it ... bird feels tight in frame !!! btw for these white birds you need soft light or strong overcast !!!

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Gerald,
I like the capture...I like the head angle and clear sharp eye...agree with Mr. Peters on the techs. Looking forward to your next one...:cool:

[Gerald Kelberg]

Many thanks for the comments and guidance! This is helping a great deal with my CS4 learning curve. Working with so much white is a different experience - so how am I doing?

I have adjusted the blue cast and am happier now with the colour - I dialed in -10 on the highlights in an adjustment layer.

The framing was a bit more of a challenge as the image is practically full frame. However, I created some extra space behind the bird and ate up some of the space on the other side doing that. I was trying to get the eye of the bird about the top left intersection of a mental 3x3 grid. Trickiest bit was working with the ripples behind the bird.

Lance - I see what you mean about the rotation, but can't decide whether it is perspective or just plain crooked!

Many thanks,

Gerald

Rats! Looks like I am too early to re-post the image. I'll try again this evening!

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Gerald you can re post the image at any time, do so as a reply within your post !!! For a new one you do need to wait the 24 hours !!!

[Gerald Kelberg]

Thanks Al!

Here's my repost. I think I just messed up last time I tried - need more practice at this;)

Gerald