Seraphim

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Hi Everyone,
Apologies for my absence and even more apologies if I have already posted this image...my poor old brain seems to be having a mid-life crisis...:confused:
This was taken on the Farne Islands last June. I cloned out an OOF bird, desaturated the sky and lightened it a little.
1D 3 300 2.8 @ 2.8
1/8000 sec
ISO 125
Exp comp @ -1/3
This image is meant to be a joyous expression of the miracle that is the Arctic tern...
Look forward to your C & C's :)
Best regards to all,
Nicki

PS Randy, this one's for you!

[Bill Dix]

Hi Nikki. If you posted it before I missed it, so I'm glad you did so (again?). What a stunning shot! I love the way the delicate Tern just barely emerges from the hi-key background. And the wings-up, tail-fanned, legs dangling down-pose is perfect. If I had been lucky enough to capture something like this I would have cropped in tighter, but that would have been a mistake. Leaving a lot of white space adds to the ethereal elegance of the image.

[allanrube]

I would take a bit off the top. :)

I am not a fan of high key shots in most cases, but it really works well here.

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Bill and Alan, thanks so much for your very kind words.
Alan, I take your point, but I agree with Bill that the bird needs space around it in order to achieve the ethereal feel :)

[allanrube]

I said just a little. :)

[Marina Scarr]

I love the dreamy feeling of this capture. I too am not normally a fan of high key images, but this really works and the red really pops. I understand and agree with your reasoning for the space all around and after several looks, it's on the money. It was finally the thumbnail that made me see it the way you intended it.

Well seen and well captured!

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Alan, you did indeed say just a little :D
Marina, thank you for your very kind words - I really appreciate that you took the time to revisit the image :)

[Doug Brown]

I love the graceful positions that Terns assume in flight. You've captured this Arctic Tern beautifully! I like it small in the frame, but I might place it slightly lower; it's a bit too centered for my taste as presented. The 'ethereal feel' works very well!

[Randy Stout]

Nicki:

Half way to heaven.

Thats the first impression I had, before looking at any details. The cropping as is is what gave me that impression, plus the high key, almost blending into the background.

Thanks so much for posting, and the dedication!

Cheers

Randy

[Paul Lagasi]

Makes this bird look like it is...small, lovely and delicate...very nice sharp, high key image..TFS

[Greg Basco]

Nicki, great stuff. I love the look and feel of this and totally agree that the space around the bird is what makes the picture. I do agree with Doug that having the bird a bit lower in the frame, and a bit more to the right to my eye, would improve things even further. And I would prefer the full 2:3 aspect ratio. This will make a great large print so congrats from me!

Hope all's well,
Greg Basco

[denise ippolito]

Nicki, I like the high key look and the unique crop as always:). I knew it was yours the minute I saw the thumbnail. Nice to see you posting again.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Very cool shot Nicki. I love everything about it. It just looks like a dream. That's it! Very well seen and created. :)

[Grace Scalzo]

Simply lovely, Nicki. Very creatively seen and composed in your unique personal style.

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Thank you everyone - your kind comments are very much appreciated :)

[Don Lacy]

Beautiful image Nicki, like Denise I knew it was yours the moment I saw the thumbnail for me it is the pose of the tern with the elegant lines form by the wing positions that makes it special.

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Thank you Don :)

[Stu Bowie]

I like the pose Nicki,and just love how the tern blends into the BG. The overall exposure is simply superb. Fine work.

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Stuart, thanks so much :)

[Haim Ziv]

Very beautiful picture! It's look like a piece of art.

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Thank you Haim :)