Hammerkopf 2

[Ken Watkins]

From the same sighting as my last Hammerkopf, Masai Mara, 17th September 2007.

EOS 1D MkIIn

500mm F4 IS bean-bag from vehicle

F32, 1/6, ISO 100

Part of an experiment to blend images;)

[caroline huet]

well, i find the water movement interesting, it gives all the force of the photo.

[Ivan Sjögren]

Cool and different shot. I really like the water movement, also a nice bird with good sharpnes.
I just which the water went over the rocks behind the bird as it do in front.

[Ofer Levy]

I like this a lot. The slow shutter speed was a great idea. I wish you could get a uniformed BG of blurred water rather than the rock at the back.

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Ken, I like this a lot. I love the use of the slow shutter speed and I like contrast between the bird and the rock behind it.

[Ken Watkins]

Thanks for all of the comments, I would have preferred more water in the BG, but the bird would not move, and as I was in a vehicle it was difficult to change my angle.

I should give credit to Andy Rouse (who was in our vehicle) as it was he who suggested the shooting style, something I would never have thought of.

[Phil Ertel]

HI Ken, I like this one a lot. The silky blurred water makes the image in my opinion. The combination of the blur and sharp bird is most pleasing. Yes it would have been nice to have more of the water but from your narrative it sounds like you did the best you could. I would be happy to have this image in my file.

[Mark Young]

The blurring of the water is a really nice effect. I will have to try this technique one day too.

[Ken Watkins]

Phil and Mark,

Thanks for your kind comments.

[Rich Steel]

Very effective Ken. I know Andy very well and he has recently being doing some similar images with blurred water and dippers in the UK to great effect.

Cheers

RIch