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Thread: The Seductress

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    Default The Seductress

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    1D2n, 600mm f4, 1/1600s, f4, iso 400.

    I know the "rules" suggest horizons are usually best placed about 1/3rd into the frame, but it just doesn't seem to work in this situation. When the camera is so low and the water so flat, the muted reflection (pardon the pun!) become an imprortant part of the image, leading into the subject itself. I realise it's unusual and would be interested to hear your opinions.

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    With the large size of the subject and reflection your placement is perfect within the frame. As for the horizon, you chose a right time to break the "rule" as the comp feels balanced to me. I actually like the light blue shadows on the bird combined with the overall warm colours of the image. Although i like the water drops I wish they didn't start out as a streak at bill tip.

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    Ditto Daniel. I like where the water line is. Lovely light, water drops and the typical swan pose. If anything I would prefer a bit more distant BG.

    Well Done.

  4. #4
    Graham Smith.
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    Wow Ian!
    This is beautiful. I love the lighting, and the water in the foreground. The droplets are a great bonus too!

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    Dr.Pranay Rao Juvvadi
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    Wow, this looks more like a painting. Agree with everything that has been said.

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    this is mind blowing compo and a fantastic capture. have no words to show gratitude. thanks for sharing this wonderful image. admirable.

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    two things that make this one for me, the super low angle and the waterdrops streaming from the birds bill. Lovely comp and very elegant pose. Lovely shot Ian! Well done

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    Ian, this is so pretty cool as to be beyond words. Very well done. Breaking rules, but so inspiring. Give me an image any day of the week, year or whatever, that inspires feelings above conforming to rules, any day. tell u what for free, and any editor will tell u the same.

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    Ian, Are you stretching the canvas for that effect? I love the colors and the composition. The water droplets are fantastic!!

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    Thanks for all the comments!

    Denise

    No manipulation of any kind. The effect is produced by having the long axis of the lens at or below water level (on a raised pond). Always gives whacky effects, especially with flat water.

  11. #11
    Axel Hildebrandt
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    Great mood, angle, sharpness and BG. Adding to the other comments, does it need a tad CCW rotation?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ian Mason View Post
    Thanks for all the comments!

    Denise

    No manipulation of any kind. The effect is produced by having the long axis of the lens at or below water level (on a raised pond). Always gives whacky effects, especially with flat water.

    I think it's amazing and thanks for sharing your tip.

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    Lifetime Member James Salywoda's Avatar
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    Stunning Sir! Now I love everything about this shot especially the falling water off the bill. I wish it was mine.

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    Forum Participant Joe Senzatimore's Avatar
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    The broken "rule" works here. A stunning image.

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Very moody Ian. Super pose from the swan, and just love the trailing droplets from the beak. I like serenity of the image, and I like effect of the reflection. Great work.

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    exquisite image for me , loved those long reflections and dropping water
    TFS

  17. #17
    Mohanram Kemparaju
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    The reflection looks like a bride's gown..its beautiful and the composition is perfect for the situation.Water droplets is also an added bonus.Like the low level.

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    Great angle and the water drops with the reflection adds well, congrats..

    was there no ripples created by the water drops..

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    Kiran

    Somebody else asked the same question, and my response was that I thought it was the effect of lens foreshortening due to long focal length. You see water disturbance on either side of the bird, but not at the front (as there is only half the diameter of the circle and you are looking at the edge of the ripple). THe bird in effect is sitting in a very shallow hollow formed by the ripples. Thus any disturbance from the water droplets will occur inside the circle, behind the peripheral ripple. Hope that makes some sort of sense - it's my best guess! However, it has also occured to me that maybe no drops have as yet hit the water! Interesting point though!

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    Thanks Ian, I thought of that too, just wanted a confrimation from you as you would know best..

    Regards,

    Kiran.

  21. #21
    david cramer
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    An exquisite composition. It seems to need a slight ccw rotation, and I'd remove some of the violet coloring in the feather shadows.

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    Quote Originally Posted by david cramer View Post
    An exquisite composition. It seems to need a slight ccw rotation, and I'd remove some of the violet coloring in the feather shadows.
    David - many thanks for the comment and suggestions. Interestingly, the colour of the feathers had attracted attention before. I have already desaturated the blue channel, which certainly made a huge difference. I will have another look at it. Not sure about the rotation - I use the measure tool in PS, but there is often no clear reference point. I tend to use the reflection, but it is quite soft and therefore the result tends to be different every time! Someone suggested using the water droplets, but of course they're not necessarily vertical as the bird was moving. Very interesting indeed.
    Last edited by Ian Mason; 08-21-2009 at 10:25 AM.

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    Forum Participant Manos Papadomanolakis's Avatar
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    beautiful refelection,warm colors,pose!!!

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    I've been staring at this image for a while now. What an incredible image! Love everything about it!

  25. #25
    Art Kornienko
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    Beautiful in all regards, tend to agree with Axel about the CCW.

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    Superb image, fantastic low, low shoothing angle and excelent exposure job. A joy for our eyes :-)

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