It's intriguing to be back to BPN after joining the site 15 months ago. I'm perplexed by all the bells and whistles as I was the first time I explored the site. I'll hopefully get over it with additional time allowed.
This place appears to offer a great opportunity to advance in photography technique beyond trial and error.
I've become fascinated with the photography of birds and their identification. My greatest struggle is with the shorebirds that look too much alike even after observing them for several seasons now.
A 2009 Christmas gift was a book PHOTOGRAPHIC GUIDE TO THE SHOREBIRDS OF THE WORLD.
I'm especially intrigued with it stating on the back cover "How do you tell the difference between a Western Sandpiper and Least Sandpiper at 100 yards?"
Well, there are regrettably other species that are much more indistinguishable at nine yards for novice bird enthusiasts as I include myself.
I find great enjoyment in carrying a camera around. Sometimes the stuff attached to it can be a curse especially when walking with a view of the Gulf of Mexico or its nearby waters through sugar sand or muddy environs.
I haven't overcome the discomfort of potential threat of the gators in the area. I make every effort to avoid them and stingrays in the summer months.
I've most recently observed and reflected on the proximity of dolphins in the water with me that could cause possible harm to the gear capturing images of them.
These are recent personal thoughts while I was reading Artie's blog where it offered a link to a wildlife enthusiast that met a gruesome end with a bear in the wild.
His most recent personal musing on how dangerous it was to capture a good shot of a bird on a jettie should really be appreciated for one's passion in doing what he and others consider easy to do. I'd be prepared to lose the gear in a heartbeat if my life were in jeopardy.
Well, back to the reason you are reading this, I captured an image of birds with light that I especially like and offer it in this forum for criticism. The title of the shot is derived from the immediate thought I had in its colors. The reds should preferably be at the bottom of the image, but what the heck, it's the best I could do at the moment.
I pushed the ISO higher comfortably than I have in the past with what I consider acceptable results.
The editing education available here in the forums is especially welcome although I'm currently a minimalist.
My record at pbase may have you convinced otherwise.
Had to do a copy and past of the shot. The other option is a mystery to me.
Oops. I meant to add all the possible details of the shot here, but didn't see a readily available way to do so, and thus forgot to accommodate you. Here's a link to the shot at pbase . . . http://www.pbase.com/jkrnm5/image/120546651/original
Welcome to BPN, Bob! Very nice first post. I like the soft light, landing pose and the OOF birds are not too distracting. I would tone down the highlights some more.
I fixed the link, you can copy the link in pbase and when pasting here using the yellow 'insert image' box above you have to add /original.jpg at least if the original is not wider than 1024 pixels. As for the techs, you can click on edit to change your original post and add the information, and finally, keep them coming! :)
Hello, Bob. I like the angelic pose of your main subject. Pretty light and the "off sun angle" adds some interesting shadows to the birds' faces. I enjoyed the variety of species that are included here. As for the complexity of the site, a bit of practice will help...and our moderators always lend a helping hand when you get stuck.
Much thanks for the input on enhancing the shot. I've toned down the highlights as suggested. Please be aware that there were no enhancements to the image posted above other than a crop and sharpening.
As the image exceeds the 200KB limitation by .8KB for a "managed" attachment, I again did a copy and paste.
Venue: San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve, Ft Myers, Florida USA
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
2009/12/14 17:258.8
Image Size: 3057 x 2038
Focal Length: 840mm
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern
1/1250 sec - F/5.6
Exposure Comp.: 0 EV
ISO-1600
Last edited by Bob Pelkey; 12-27-2009 at 11:48 AM.
Reason: To add shooting data. Clarify text.
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