D90; 80-400 @ 120 mm. ISO 400, 1/2000s @ f/6.3; Matrix metering, -1.0 EV; AF-A, WB-A in camera, warmed in PS.
Over 10,000 Dunlins were assembled and light was fading fast when we left Brigantine on Sunday. Not nearly as dramatic a sunset as Alfred's recent Yellowstone landscape, but hey, whaddya want for New Jersey. I obviously boosted the saturation and contrast, and cropped just a bit from the bottom. Also applied a slight gradient filter. EXIF looks strange for this image, but I was trying to capture egrets in the fading light and I guess I didn't re-set as we were driving out and saw this scene. C&C appreciated.
it's funny how i think cropping all the dunlins off the bottom makes this a better compo! i like the sky and think it is stronger than the birds on the bottom. i like the two islands and think they are enough to hold the bottom just fine.
This is a beautiful picture. I would move horizon up and make birds, water and small slice of sky the subject. Currently, the sky dominates the image. Again, its all about taste and feel - well done.
I might turn sat dial down a bit too but thats me.
Last edited by Jeff Cashdollar; 10-30-2009 at 10:26 PM.
Thanks for the variety of opinions. The common theme is that there may be too much in the OP for the eye to take in. I agree that this is pretty subjective, but I've gone with Katie and Jeff, and reposted a version with less sky. I've left the sat as is, although I know it is exaggerated. Thanks for looking.
Hey Bill, I like this version better...and I have to say that from a purely composition perspective, I think Harold is on to something but then you would lose the Dunlins which is what it's all about. The continuing challenge is part of what we love about this passion of ours.
Love the repost The new crop is just perfect, first thing I though about doing !!! For the overall tones I did some work with the Nick filters used some brilliant warmth, then back to PS and in selective color adjusted the neutral and black channel !! One fine image Love it !!!
Assignment: Reflections - Dunlin Sunset
