Results 1 to 17 of 17

Thread: Cleared for landing

  1. #1
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Phoenix, AZ
    Posts
    2,267
    Threads
    560
    Thank You Posts

    Default Cleared for landing

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    OK. I spend a lot of time trying to nail the eyes. I got such a laugh out of the antics of this Neotropic Cormorant. Does the fact that his back is to us make it worthless?

    Canon 7D
    Sigma 100-300mm f/4 @ 210mm
    f/14 @ 1/1250sec ISO 800

    Thanks for looking.

    Ian

  2. #2
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Bangkok, Thailand
    Posts
    1,353
    Threads
    90
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    This one work for me, because it gives the feeling of a landing bird missing the stop line and trying hard to break :D which does bring a smile to my face. The details in the black look nice too.

  3. #3
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Phoenix, AZ
    Posts
    2,267
    Threads
    560
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanaboon, thanks for that! That's what had me laughing as I watched him and I was hoping the image transmitted that feeling.

  4. #4
    BPN Viewer Tom Graham's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Southern California, Orange County
    Posts
    1,116
    Threads
    33
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I like it!!!
    Great framing, two water plops and still going!!! Tail dragging water for additional braking!!!
    Tom

  5. #5
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Phoenix, AZ
    Posts
    2,267
    Threads
    560
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks, Tom. He thinks he is almost ready to attempt a carrier landing :)

  6. #6
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    2,940
    Threads
    288
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ian Cassell View Post
    Does the fact that his back is to us make it worthless?

    Errrr...to me it's not gonna be a keeper. But it could just be me :)

  7. #7
    Lance Peters
    Guest

    Default

    Hi - Im gonna go against the grain also - Not a keeper for me either.
    :)

  8. #8
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Perth ON Canada
    Posts
    226
    Threads
    32
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Not a keeper for me as well. The action you have captured here can be shot much more effectively from an angle which better shows the head and eyes. I know this is the shot you usually get because the birds are fleeing from you.
    Joe

  9. #9
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    6,829
    Threads
    569
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Ian, First off I feel your asking if the image is worthless is unfair. There must have been something you liked about it for you to post it. If there is a part that you liked it's worth something to you,the final arbitor.
    The image is not an award winner but it is a not so common view of a landing and is done well technically. The water splashes provide interest and a line to the bird.
    I don't think anyone should make the judgement on the worth of an image....

  10. #10
    PeterCollins
    Guest

    Default

    i agree with dave, the idea of an image having value can only really be met by the person taking it.

    Ok, its not going to win any awards. But i have a few pics like this that i like for various reasons and the only person who can give something any value is the author.

    Personally i like these kind of images, its a little different and sometimes you get another story from the image from these which interests me

    techs are well done

    Pete

  11. #11
    Alfred Forns
    Guest

    Default

    Hi Ian Will give you my opinion not base on you liking or disliking the image ... just me !!!

    I like it and would keep it, you framed the bird well, have the water trailing behind which adds interest, great detail in the feathers (well exposed/sharp) ... so it works for me !

    How to improve .... about the same but a vertical crop with more room up front .. btw vertical in camera :) I guess I like different when well done ... but always keep in mind a said above, with these type you will have different responses and need to go with what "you" like !!

  12. #12
    Alfred Forns
    Guest

    Default

    Hi Ian Will give you my opinion not base on you liking or disliking the image ... just me !!!

    I like it and would keep it, you framed the bird well, have the water trailing behind which adds interest, great detail in the feathers (well exposed/sharp) ... so it works for me !

    How to improve .... about the same but a vertical crop with more room up front .. btw vertical in camera :) I guess I like different when well done ... but always keep in mind a said above, with these type you will have different responses and need to go with what "you" like !!

    ... btw I would not like seeing cormorants landing right into me all the time :)

  13. #13
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Phoenix, AZ
    Posts
    2,267
    Threads
    560
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks, all, and yes I guess "worthless" was a poor choice of words. As I think you figured out, I was wondering if you would ever keep something like this, and you addressed that admirably. As Dave mentioned, I do like it, but I like others to look at and enjoy my photography as well and it is good to have a framework into which I can put images that please me but will not please others. You folks are great for teaching me that!

  14. #14
    BPN Viewer Tom Graham's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Southern California, Orange County
    Posts
    1,116
    Threads
    33
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I still like it.
    Perhaps with a bit more Photoshop-
    .

    .
    Tom

    sorry, I'll apologize in advance

  15. #15
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Phoenix, AZ
    Posts
    2,267
    Threads
    560
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I love it!

  16. #16
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Sugar Land, Texas USA
    Posts
    1,819
    Threads
    480
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    My opinion. Please don't take this wrong. I'm trying to help. I would delete it, but thats me. I wouldn't say because it is worthless, its worth lies in the fact it may very well help you become a better photographer. Thats got to be worth something! Why delete(after you have learned as much from it as possible)? Its not that its back is to us. Here is my reasoning:
    1)High contrast light-dark detailess shadows. Direct sunlight is rarely good for bird photography, especially when the sun is overhead. Overcast, cloudy days are best.
    2) not enough feather detail-and I don't mean its not sharp. It is. Detail and sharpness are different. Detail has alot to do with how close the subject is. If you are showing the top of the wings during take off or landing it is best if there is considerable detail- like feathers performing their functions. Needs to be closer to the action.
    3)Head angle-I am not obsessed about head angles, but part of a bill, or eye would be nice! A backward glance is perfectly acceptable, but I contend not absolutely necessary.
    4Too much dead space. Cropping is rarely an option; it adds no detail as you would expect when closer, besides it
    wrecks havock on image quality.
    5)composition: mostly centered subject here. What would work is a diagonal splash trail from lower left corner leading to the subject in upper right area. The wings could also be leveled in post-processing
    6)F14 is overkill. A partially or completely blurred background best.
    7)Viewing angle, if at all possible, needs to be lower. Crouching usually works.
    8) Likelyhood of being able to take a similar shot with same bird species with improvements? Very likely, common bird with very common behavior. No great loss in deleteing.
    Why I like particular images? See 1-7 above. I've included an image taken a few days ago of a GBH with its back to us, but showing wing detail and a view of the head. IMHO the top of the wing detail compensates nicely for what some would consider a very bad head angle!
    SonyA700~Sony70-400G@400mm~ISO1250~F6.3~1/2000 sec~manual exposure~HH~5-8-2010~ Quintana, Texas~CS4
    regards~Bill

  17. #17
    BPN Member Julie Brown's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Indianapolis, IN
    Posts
    1,236
    Threads
    122
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Ian. Here is my two cents from the perspective of my personal experience as a photographer and as a BPN member. What I have learned here on BPN has been invaluable. Posting images and offering critiques of other's images has pushed me to "see" differently. Image making is a process, and we are all at different levels. I think the intrinsic value of any particular image to the photographer is going to depend on a number of factors that will change over time. As your skill improves, your expectations for your images will also change. The first capture of a new species, or a new pose or behavior is exciting, and gives us an emotional connection to that image. That is a reason to keep it, at least until you get a better one.:)

    Great 8-point critique offered by Bill!:D
    My photoblog: juliebrown.aminus3.com

    My galleries: julielbrown.smugmug.com

    My WordPress blog: indybirdphotographer.com


    "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks”.

    John Muir

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics