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Thread: Crested Kingfisher II

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    Default Crested Kingfisher II

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    This image was captured a few hundredths of a second after my previous crested kingfisher*. I was in the Dabie Mountains, so pleasantly reminiscent of the Ozarks in America. This is my favorite type of bird photography by far, for two reasons. First, the speedy camera takes us into a world not discernible by the human eye. My eyes saw a blur; my D3S captured crisp images. Second, this type of photography is compelling even to the uninitiated. I've been showing this shot on my iPhone to people who know little about birds and photography. When they see this shot, they are pleased, and they immediately understand what's going on. I'm an old baseball player, and getting these shots feels a lot like turning on a fastball and driving it out of the park.

    Device: Nikon D3S
    Lens: VR 600mm F/4G
    Focal Length: 600mm
    Aperture: F/4
    Shutter Speed: 1/3200
    Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
    Exposure Comp.: None
    ISO Sensitivity: ISO 3200
    Metering Mode: Center-Weight
    Subject Distance: 15 m
    Photoshoppery: See notes on previous image.

    *http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...her?highlight=

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    It's a first class shot that's for sure! I suspect you had good reason for the format but if it were possible I would have liked a more landscape shape.

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Craig:

    Tremendous sense of action, explosion out of the water. Hope you have another in this series, it would be a great as a tryptic.

    Agree with Jonathan, it needs more room to breath if you have it.

    Well anticipated, and captured.

    One of your best!

    Cheers

    Randy
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    Awesome Craig, I agree a little more room. Nice moment captured, the wings and tail look great!

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    Thanks, everyone! Regarding my crop, tell you what. Here's the image uncropped. Y'all tell me what you'd have done. I wanted that kingfisher exploding right into your lap--thus my crop.

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    Craig, Ultimately it's your vision for the image that counts. If it were mine I would have taken some off the bottom and right, it would not have been the vision you presented and maybe that's why your image looked so powerful. For either image I would crop above the small orange dot on the bottom.

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Craig:

    I like the uncropped version a lot. I might come up from the bottom a bit, and in from the right about 1/3 of the way from the edge to the right most water trail, but really like it as you shot it.

    Just print it really big, and it will have great impact, even uncropped!!

    Cheers

    Randy

    PS: Denise and I were typing at the same time, but she was faster!
    Last edited by Randy Stout; 07-08-2011 at 07:29 AM.
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    Made a little mistake. My supposedly uncropped version actually was cropped in a bit, mainly from the right. But Randy and Denise got the idea. Thanks, Randy and Denise, for your insights. The good thing with a shot like this is that you can't go wrong. I love the uncropped and slightly cropped versions, but I still love the feeling, looking at my original crop above, that I'm about to get splashed by the kingfisher.

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    BPN Viewer Sachin Saraf's Avatar
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    I liked the un cropped version but agree with Denise to crop from below..

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    Quote Originally Posted by denise ippolito View Post
    Craig, Ultimately it's your vision for the image that counts. If it were mine I would have taken some off the bottom and right, it would not have been the vision you presented and maybe that's why your image looked so powerful. For either image I would crop above the small orange dot on the bottom.
    I agree with Denise. Great capture!

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    Craig they are getting better and better. I love this one, fantastic water spash and close-up. I would also crop some off the bottom. Congrates on getting the action, it Superb

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Craig, you are fast becoming the kingfisher king Superb action, and yes, when they are exiting from the water, you just keep pressing the shutter. Comp wise, another vote for a touch off the bottom from you processed post. From your original, I would have left the space as is. Very well captured.

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    It was an amazing picture, especially after you gave the bird more space

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    Great action and shooting angle. Agree with more room needed. Wonderful shot.

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    Ofer Levy
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    Nice one! I like the repost more.

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    Forum Participant christopher galeski's Avatar
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    great explosive shot,the repost better,thanks.

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    Beautiful!! more space adds well.

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