Cygnet in Spotlight

[Ian Mason]

1D2n, 600mm f4 is, 1/320s, f6.3, iso 400.

I’d had this image in my mind for a long time before the conditions came together. I was aware of a shaft of setting sun illuminating a small area of the pond, near overhanging grass. It had to be a bird with neutral tones to contrast with the dark background and the bird had to follow the correct route when the water was flat! This cygnet eventually obliged. Comments and critique are valued as always – especially as I’ve just calibrated my monitor for the first time in 2 years (impressive difference by the way!).

[Doug Brown]

Another lovely image Ian! I'm amazed at how much difference I see with monitor calibration after only a month. The low angle, great light, and serene mood of this image are fantastic. I also like the hint of OOF branch in the BG.

[Lorant Voros]

Love the mood and the beautiful light. Nicely planned and nice result. I'd remove the 2 water drops if possible; I think the image would be better. Congratulations.

[denise ippolito]

Ian, I love this image.The cygnet has a beautiful spotlight that illuminates it beautifully. I like the still water w/ the soft color tones. The BG color really sets the mood. Very well seen.

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

great mood,light,angle!!!

[Keith Bauer]

Another classic Ian image. I'd love to come visit and go to your pond!! It is producing some great images. The light makes this image. I'm not wild about the OOF twigs on the right side. other than that..... this is just stunning.

[Isak Pretorius]

Low angle really makes this work so well! The OOF twigs works for me, but I guess that's just personal preference.

[chris mayne]

Absolutely taken with this image.

[Greg Basco]

Ian, really well done here! I like everything about this image; for me the OOF twigs in the BG work to add to the feel of the image. The soft sidelight is outstanding. The previsualization really paid off.

Cheers,
Greg Basco

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I'm usually not too crazy about sidelit images but this one works very well. I also like the angle, mood, BG and am glad that you left the OOF branches in there.

[Charles Glatzer]

My kind of lighting! This image exhibits subtle side-lighting, offering a natural three dimensional quality not easily obtainable with flat-lighting. The low angle helps put it over the top.

Best,

Chas

[Daniel Cadieux]

Nothing to add here. Just an all around wondeful image!! The lighting and low angle are superb. The glowing patch of "terra cotta" in the BG is fantastic. Way to go!!

[Stu Bowie]

Lovely side light, which shows up the detail nicely. I like the inclusion of the droplets, but find the OOF grasses slightly distracting.

[Kiran Poonacha]

Just loved this, great angle, compo, the light angle adds so well here... congrats...

[Danny Laredo]

Wonderful image Ian. Love the light and low angle.

[David Fletcher]

My kind of lighting! This image exhibits subtle side-lighting, offering a natural three dimensional quality not easily obtainable with flat-lighting. The low angle helps put it over the top.

Best,

Chas

Said well..... :). Can't really say any better.. TFS

[Dave Barnes]

Great low angle and atmosphere very well captured. The ray of light is wow.

[Loong-Tat Wong]

Hi
This image is so very good.The low angle,the golden light and the perfectly matched subject makes for a very "atmospheric" image! Bravo!!