Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Early morning stretch

  1. #1
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    SW Michigan
    Posts
    14,112
    Threads
    820
    Thank You Posts

    Default Early morning stretch

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    This common loon was just limbering up on a lovely quiet morning on a northern Michigan lake.

    D700 500mm f/4 with TC 1.4 f/6.3 1/1600s AE -0.7 EV ISO 640

    Camera mounted on a pedestal , just peeking over the gunwales, me sitting on the deck of my boat
    the "Loonatic"

    Post: NX2, slight rotation, small crop for composition, minor levels and curves adjustment.

    Comments always appreciated.

    Randy

  2. #2
    Art Peslak
    Guest

    Default

    I like the low angle perspective on this along with catching the bird at an interesting position. The exposure and detail are very good.

  3. #3
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Seems like both you and the Loon were relaxed. Your pano crop works well with the outspread wings and the loon sunken into the water. Exposure well controlled, sharp, and I like the overall detail in this. Great capture Randy.

  4. #4
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    23,119
    Threads
    1,523
    Thank You Posts
    Blog Entries
    55

    Default

    Randy, I really like the stretched wings w/ the water drops falling off. Beautiful HA and BG. The details look very good as does your exposure. Looks like your trip was a success and it's nice to have you back.

  5. #5
    Forum Participant Joe Senzatimore's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    new york
    Posts
    3,509
    Threads
    524
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Low angle makes this for me. Whites look a bit hot(not a whole lot) but my just be my monitor. Very fine capture.

  6. #6
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Not bad for a loonatic. Nice pose with just about perfect wing position. I think that this could be improved with some Eye Doctor work....

    What type of pedestal?
    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.










  7. #7
    Gal Shon
    Guest

    Default

    Beautiful image, Very well presented.
    I like the soft light, superb wing position, BG, sharpnes and Comp.

  8. #8
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    SW Michigan
    Posts
    14,112
    Threads
    820
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks everyone.

    Artie, I did brighten the eye just a bit. Because the light was very soft, and indirect, you don't get the brilliant red eye that loons show in full sun. I did not want to go overboard, wanted to keep it consistent with how it looked in person. Perhaps a bit more local contrast would work.

    The boat has four pedestal mounted seats that can be moved around as needed for fishing. I bought an extra adjustable pedestal, put an aluminum plate on the top where the seat would normally go, mounted my Wimberely on to of that. If it is OK, I could post a picture of the setup in this thread, or do one in the general photography forum. I found it worked quite well. Didn't trust a tripod not to get knocked over with wave action or my movement as I moved around the boat. Plus, since I was also driving the boat, couldn't use something that couldn't be left unattended, like a BLUBB.

    Cheers

    Randy

  9. #9
    IOTY Winner 2010 Chris Kotze's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    1,254
    Threads
    137
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Excellent exposure and detail. I like the low angle and the pose, well captured
    Chris Kotze

  10. #10
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Auranagabad ( MS ) India
    Posts
    12,833
    Threads
    766
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Grand expo and details , loved low angle
    TFS

  11. #11
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Córdoba, Spain
    Posts
    3,099
    Threads
    211
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Spectacular pose and low angle Randy. Pano croping works really good on this one. Glad to see you posting again :-)

  12. #12
    Axel Hildebrandt
    Guest

    Default

    Cool pose, good angle, BG and composition. I would tone down the highlights a bit and increase contrast a few points.

  13. #13
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Lakeville, MN
    Posts
    1,381
    Threads
    150
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Randy the low angle and open wing spread is perfect for a pano crop!
    I agree with adding a small amount more of contrast.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics