Whoops, I didn't realise there was a new project so I'm still thinking about Creativity. However, this works for interaction too!
I work at a Common Tern colony in Shediac, New Brunswick so have lots of opportunities to photograph them. As the chicks start to hatch there's a lot of squabbling between adults and some result in an aerial flight like this. It all happens so quickly you have to be prepared for the exposure and just rattle off the images while trying to keep the focus sensor on target. Here's an example.
I softened the image a bit the the Clarity slider in ACR. Other than that cropped, lightened selectively with an overlay layer, and then sharpened. Comments welcome!
Date: 29 June, 2010, Time: 14:09h
Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Lens: EF400mm f/5.6L USM @ 400 mm
Program: Manual
ISO 800, 1/3200s, f/7.1
Exp. comp.: 0.0
Flash: no flash
Last edited by John Chardine; 06-29-2010 at 03:56 PM.
Reason: Whoops!
This is an absolutely lovely image, and a superb example of an interaction between two birds in flight. I especially like the graceful curvature of the neck of the bird above, as it regards the one below. And the spatial orientation of the birds is stunning.
Very nice and dreamy high key image John! I am not sure about this but would thought maybe it would look even better with darker blacks. Love the interaction between the terns as well as their poses.
I think this is very lovely. The pose of he two birds and interaction are great. I like the high[key presentation and the soft feel you produced. It all works for me and the result is a beautiful image. Well done!
John do not worry about the new project, this one is so good that who cares :)
The high key works fantastic here and both birds looks really sweet. I would suggest adding a touch of more room at the bottom but not sure if would be an improvement.
Superb job :)
Wow John--this one is awesome! I like the very high key even though it's more than nature provides naturally--but that's the whole point isn't it?--venture into the realm of the artistic! Oh yeah! The blacks, as someone else mentioned, are a bit too strong, considering the general softness of the rest of the image. And so is the red beaks and feet. They draw the attention like a sledge hammer. My suggestion would be to keep the whole shot soft looking. Worth a try I would think at least to see how it might look..Other than that the most powerful tern shot I have seen. Way to go!!