Results 1 to 16 of 16

Thread: Winter Project; Up on Tippy Toes

  1. #1
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    SW Michigan
    Posts
    14,112
    Threads
    820
    Thank You Posts

    Default Winter Project; Up on Tippy Toes

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    This trumpeter was imaged at the local bird sanctuary. Cold but still day, not very much activity. Had been pretty cloudy all day, low light levels, not a catchlight to be seen!

    I did like the pose. He was landing, so the snow was clean, no foot prints.

    D700 600 f/6.3 1/1000s ISO 1000 Manual Gitzo/Wimberley

    Post;

    CS5 curves selective sharpening crop for comp.
    Left the slight blue tint for coldness sake.

    Advice and thoughts always appreciated.

    Cheers

    Randy
    Last edited by Randy Stout; 01-17-2011 at 08:21 AM.

  2. #2
    Forum Participant Richard Unsworth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Ourique, Beja, Portugal
    Posts
    2,115
    Threads
    495
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Randy

    Just amazing! one of the best photographs I have seen on here.

    Max detail black and whites; even detail in the eye.
    Pose is perfect, composition so simple yet sets the mood perfectly, even the subtle line between snow/sky is just right.

  3. #3
    BPN Viewer thijs broekkamp's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    The netherlands
    Posts
    436
    Threads
    110
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Really cool image with just the white environment, nice pose too. Wish the head would be a bit sharper

  4. #4
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Randy, now thats timing to capture the 'toes' just on touch down. Great exposure all round, and I like how the light is shown through the far wing. Most of all, great separation in exposure between swan and BG. Well done.

  5. #5
    IOTY Winner 2010 Chris Kotze's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    1,254
    Threads
    137
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Super timing and great exposure on a difficult subject.
    Chris Kotze

  6. #6
    Lifetime Member James Salywoda's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    H. Bch. California
    Posts
    2,860
    Threads
    315
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Such a serene mood in this shot I really like your composition Randy well done.

  7. #7
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Shanghai, China
    Posts
    1,076
    Threads
    129
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    The swan is nearly disappearing into the white BG, but some may see that as an advantage: the ghostly swan in winter. The position of the feet is unusual. I'd have thought he was taking off, not landing. I appreciate the simplicity of this image.

  8. #8
    BPN Viewer Pieter de Waal's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Swaziland, Southern Africa
    Posts
    1,677
    Threads
    91
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Nice clean image Randy with a very interesting pose open to many interpretations which is what captures the imagination. Good defenition amongst all those whites and I particularly like the shadow of the bird.

  9. #9
    BPN Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Dallas, Texas.
    Posts
    6,260
    Threads
    426
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Awesome shot, Randy. loved the white-on-white with the blacks. Perfect shooting angle and pose.

  10. #10
    Todd Frost
    Guest

    Default

    Well done Randy. Great iming and pose. Nice comp and exposure.
    TFs
    Todd

  11. #11
    BPN Viewer Mark Young's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Sydney - Australia
    Posts
    797
    Threads
    68
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Excellent timing! This pose is just superb!

  12. #12
    AlvanBuckley
    Guest

    Default

    I can really get a sense of graceful motion from this bird even though I wouldn't necessarily say that a Swan has the most graceful of landings! And the position of the bird is great too!
    TFS

  13. #13
    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    26,266
    Threads
    3,976
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I love the white on white, with the black bill and feet offereing a bit of contrast to the scene. Another thing I love here is the subtle shadow below the swan, very nice.

  14. #14
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    SW Michigan
    Posts
    14,112
    Threads
    820
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks everyone for your thoughts and input.

    I agree about the shadow. It establishes a plane in the image, some sense of level/horizon.

    Despite the impression that he is going to fall over on his facing trying to land, he salvaged it well and came to a more or less graceful rest a few frames later.

    Cheers

    Randy

  15. #15
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Bangalore, Karnataka
    Posts
    3,800
    Threads
    236
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Beautifully done Randy.. loved it..

  16. #16
    Russell Edwards
    Guest

    Default

    Wow. Gorgeous. And the exposure, so spot on. The wonderful detail in the highlights and the shadows... the lovely understated colours... another forum I'm on has a bowing "worship" emoticon which I have never used, but if this forum had it, I'd be using it right now!

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