While trying to get some photos yesterday from fishing Bald Eagles (with very little luck) I saw these guys taking off and heading towards North :confused: in blazing wind and snow. I'm curious to hear if people think that the photo is too blue (other comments welcome of course too). To me the photo presents the moment as I remember it; very cold, windy and "bluish" morning in Wisconsin.
Cheers,
Mikko
EOS MK3 + 500/4
F/4
CW-Average 1/500; + 2 2/3
ISO 640
Camera on tripod
Capturing the moment for others to share can be a challenge, because they don't have the context (they weren't there) and can only respond to what they see.
The cool colors do suggest coldness, but because you can't see any snow flakes, the snow storm effect doesn't come across. I have struggled with getting this across too, and have found it has to be pretty dramatic to really tell the story. THis is a link to what I mean, one of mine from a few years ago.
I like the varied wing positions. Might be tempted to crop a bit up from the bottom, and just a sliver from the top to accentuate the horizontal line of the image.
I agree with Randy, without being there its hard to tell from the image that it is snowing. Great catch though, I like the position and seperation of the birds.
Peter
I really like the composition, and the cold blue feeling. But I admit it does look a bit too blue to me; were it mine I might be tempted to try and set a white point, or back off of the blue channel, for purposes of comparison. I like the varied wing positions, but might wish for the lead bird to have wings either up or down. Hard to teach these birds to fly right. :)
Mikko, what a beautiful image! First, let me say that if you had put this in the OOTB forum I bet they'd have loved the cold blue tones. (We're all a bit odd down there...) :D
For a regular image, though, I think it would be stronger in black and white because the blue tones will still come through to a small degree and the starkness will show up better. I also thought the one bird was too close to the lower left bird so I selected him, then copied (Ctrl +"C") and then pasted (Ctrl + "V") then used the move tool to put him where I wanted him and then I went back and painted out the old placement. Once I moved him I moved another one and tried to create a more aesthetic flow - not sure if I got there or not but it might get you thinking about it and you can see what you can come up with.
The thing I love most about this is all the different wing positions. I think you've got a great base image and I think there's something to be said for the OP - it's definitely peaceful and beautiful to look at - but I wanted to see if I could maybe peek your interest in taking this in another direction. Totally up to you - remember, it's your image - your vision!
Randy I really like your b/w Canadian. I think I might have to steal your idea and try something similar now during the extra days off at the Christmas time... :p
Julie you opened my eyes again and reminded me that the first image out of the camera is not necessarily the one you need to settle with. As much as I like my own blue photo (I think my toes are still half-frozen) I do like also your version very much.
Mikko, it all depends on how you feel about the image and how much you feel is okay to alter one as well. I'm a balance junkie - I like everything spread out and spaced within the frame so I am willing to move birds around; others are not and that's fine as well.
Sandhill Cranes in a Snowstorm
