Windy Morning

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Photographed at Sandy Hook a couple of days ago. It was quite breezy, you can see the flying sand around the legs. Black-bellied Plovers are very skittish around here. This bird didn't seem to know what to think about me since I was lying on the beach without moving. Eventually he came closer and closer to check me out and after a few seconds he didn't even fit in the frame anymore and I went for portraits. :) For this image I was lying on my back and had the lens on my chest. It probably looks funny but it works well. :)



1D3, 500f4, 1.4x, 1/1250s, f/8, ISO 400

[Bob Malbon]

Axel, Sounds like you were multi tasking: Great capture and Ab workout! Love that sand!! Bob

[Ed Schneider]

Awesome Black-bellied, Axel. Love the sand blowing around (tough on the gear though). Can't see much room for improving this, possibly the SLIGHTEST CW rotation?

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Hi Axel,
Love this one and wouldn't change a thing. Hope your abs have recovered!!
BTW, after Nickerson I sent my 50D away to have the sand taken out of it...
Best,
Nicki

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Hi Axel,
Love this one and wouldn't change a thing. Hope your abs have recovered!!
BTW, after Nickerson I sent my 50D away to have the sand taken out of it...
Best,
Nicki

Thanks, Nicki! I almost always handhold, saves me a gym membership. :)

[Randy Stout]

Axel:
'Very nice all around. Might try a tiny sliver more room at the bottom, but the OOF foreground in such low angle shots can quickly 'go bad' so perhaps this is the best compromise.

Hope you are not still combing sand out of your hair. :)

Randy

[David Fletcher]

Very nice Axel. Excellent low view, :D, and glad you piqued it's interest.

[Stu Bowie]

Lying on your back is different, but what ever works to get the shot - go for it. Looks like it paid off here, lovely perpective, and hope your gear is still ok after looking at all that sand. A little space below would work.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Pretty darn nice Axel, and the flying sand is a cool touch. I hope not only your abs have recovered, but also your neck!!

[Gal Shon]

Well done
I like the colors, angle, sharpness, eye contact and flying sand (a real bonus).
Were some editing applied on bill, especially where it meets the face?

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Well done
I like the colors, angle, sharpness, eye contact and flying sand (a real bonus).
Were some editing applied on bill, especially where it meets the face?

Thanks, Gal! I didn't change anything where bill and head meet.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Beautiful bird Axel!
The flying sand adds to this one IMO, love the BG.

[Melvin Grey]

Very nice quality image Axel with appropriate colour tones making an interesting BG. Good angle on bird with depth of field 'just right'. Thanks for the 'work-out' tip - no wonder you're fit! It makes for a very versatile, personalised ground pod.