Stretching a meal
Stood for about an hour watching this Osprey eating. As usual it was high up on a post but my lens seems to have compressed the angle so that it looks as if I was almost level with the action - in fact I was shooting upwards at about 30 degs.
This shot was taken with the benefit of a monopod. Focal length 283mm (4/3rds so 566mm EFL); f/4; ISO 400; 1/2000.
Critique will be appreciated.
I would prefer a vertical crop.
Phil,
The crop is too centered. Also, the angle is very steep IMO.
Good try.
Hi phil - angle is steep but not too bad - not much you could do about it. Would crop some from the RHS to move the bird out of dead centre.
Like the action, some of the whites ontop of the head look a little bright - may not be over just not much detail there, would lighten the eye and face area just a tad and might just lighten the sky off just a tad.
TFS
agree with the others. dont mind the angle so much, but some softer light coming from behind you would have made this a lot better. as is, i'd lighten the eye and desat the blue sky.
Thanks to all who have contributed to my posting. Much to learn and I am grateful!
I was a bit puzzled with the "angle is very steep" comment. What was I to do? Choices seem to be a) get a very tall step ladder, b) go further away and zoom in (which wasnt possible) or c) not bother posting the photo! Sorry to be flippant but I didnt really get the point of that comment.
Option a is good, and you can crop in tighter would work.Originally Posted by Phil2 Stone
You did not say how you shot it, you just mentioned standing. There are times you could not change the angle. Just something to think about next time.
I had shots like that got the same comment, but I totally agree. A few degree makes a big difference.
what were you supposed to do.......two quick things come to mind. a longer focal length would soften that angle more. 500mm x 4/3 = 650mm because that would give you the ability to back up. not sure how much it would have changed, but i'm guessing it would be quite noticeable. the second thing would be to observe the birds and learn their habits. there may be another perch they use that is more easily photographed.
the step ladder thing HAS been done before and is a viable option!!:D
btw, welcome to BPN. dont ever hesitate to post an image. always something to learn!!!
Hi Phil,I also welcome you to the forum. The optimum angle to shoot a subject thats perched is eye level. Very often the use of a long lense at a distance can give that appearance.Obviously thats not always possible and seeing you had no other tools at your disposable I believe you did the best you could with what was available.
I agree in taking some off the rear to uncenter the bird. Light direction and strength(warmth) can greatly effect how an image is viewed and detail obtained in the subject...
Just crop and de saturate the sky and you have a keeper. Love the action.
Nice action. Too much behind the bird and that sky needs to be more natural.
Hi Phil Excellent action captured and good on the tech side !!! PS wise you can lighten the head area some and white along the body !! Would also lighten and desaturate sky just a bit
You will always get the steep angle comment but not much you can do about it, possibly the only reasonable is using as much focal length as you can to flatten perspective. If give the chance would shoot with a 600 2X ... but lens is not handy lots of times :) btw will also get comments like ... move to your right, left etc and often times it is impossible but we commenting don't know ... just assume that you can.
Hi Phil, if I were you, I would pay careful attention to the invaluable advice you get at BPN from the real experts. I've been posting here just about a month and have already learned a lot from these guys. IMO you have a pretty nice image here, but no image is perfect. I suggest you repost incorporating the suggestions (crop at right, desaturate the sky), and I'm positive your image will improve. Of course, there's nothing you can do about the steep angle at this point, but such is life.
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