Results 1 to 15 of 15

Thread: Top lit common loon

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

    Default Top lit common loon

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    This fellow was imaged last week while in Northern Michigan. It was a dead still morning, on a quiet bay, with light filtering through the trees behind the bird on the shoreline. I was fortunate that the beams fell just right to illuminate the birds head and eye.

    D700 600mm f/4 @f/5 ISO 800 1/800 SB800 with Beamer for fill Pedestal mounted in my little boat, the Loonie TOO!

    Post: Selective sharpening, removed second catchlight, minor water cleanup 20% crop.

    I debated the crop for a while, but wanted to keep the ripples. No saturation changes.

    Advice and comments always appreciated.

    I was fortunate to have Gary Esman along, and a great day was had by all.

    Cheers

    Randy
    Last edited by Randy Stout; 08-07-2011 at 05:57 PM.
    MY BPN ALBUMS

    "Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy" Sir Isaac Newton

  2. #2
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Long Island, New York
    Posts
    6,275
    Threads
    574
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Stunning, Randy. So totally beautiful with the still water, the sunlight beaming through the trees, and that hint of color on his neck. It looks 3D.

  3. #3
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Hadley, Massachusetts
    Posts
    623
    Threads
    95
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Oh my Randy, I love it, this bird pops! Wonderful top light, BG and you nailed the exposure! Very serene and nice reflection to boot! Outstanding, congrats!

  4. #4
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    626
    Threads
    55
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Randy, this is so pretty!

    It really has a wonderful feel to it

  5. #5
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Johannesburg - South Africa
    Posts
    2,114
    Threads
    190
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Just love this Randy, great use of flash which I am sure helped make this image pop so nicely.

  6. #6
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Welcome back Randy. Tranquility at its best. Love the different coloured sheens on the head and neck, and you got yourself a great pose.

    Interesting decision on your choice of crop. Yes, the ripples add to the image, but taking off from the left may have worked, as I see ripples behind him too.

    Glad you had a great time.

  7. #7
    BPN Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Brussels, Belgium
    Posts
    1,106
    Threads
    116
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Perfect tranquility! Great image as posted, the ripples really emphasize the feeling of stillness. Wouldn't change anything here!

  8. #8
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Kalamazoo, MI
    Posts
    500
    Threads
    50
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Love the light coming in from atop, great exposure and head angle. I would CCW rotate a tad.

    Hope to see you out shooting sometime soon.

  9. #9
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    23,119
    Threads
    1,523
    Thank You Posts
    Blog Entries
    55

    Default

    Welcome back Randy, Beautiful serene image and wonderful details and lighting. I like the green tones in the water. I like that you included the concentric circle on the left. I agree w/ Chad regarding a slight rotation.

  10. #10
    Forum Participant christopher galeski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    ENGLAND LANCASHIRE
    Posts
    5,106
    Threads
    360
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Beautiful image Randy,love the beams of light coming through,like little spot lights on a stage,nice colors pose and ha,agree on slight rotation.well done.

  11. #11
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Stoney Point, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    6,868
    Threads
    512
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    A real beauty Randy. I like the stillness of the water, ripples, pose and colours.

  12. #12
    Lifetime Member Doug Brown's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Albuquerque, NM
    Posts
    11,879
    Threads
    917
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I think the composition works perfectly Randy. Very serene. And I like how the sun catches the eye.
    Upcoming Workshops: Bosque del Apache 2019, Ecuador 2020 (details coming soon)
    Website -
    Facebook - 500px

  13. #13
    BPN Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Dallas, Texas.
    Posts
    6,260
    Threads
    426
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    What a shot Randy. I have to see this is one of the best look shots I've seen in a while. glad you kept the ripples...the various shades of greens, the blacks, light....wow. well executed and processed.

  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 the comments and advice.

    In regards to rotation, when I checked it, I get about 1.25 degree of CCW needed to align the highlight in the eye and its reflection. Thanks Chad and others for pointing this out. Because the bird is angled ever so slightly towards us, I think it gives the impression that he is level, even though the ripples are not quite!

    It was one of those magic moments, to be out on the water with a special bird, and unique lighting.

    I have a lot of images from my vacation, but for me, everything came together in this one.

    Cheers and thanks again!

    Randy
    MY BPN ALBUMS

    "Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy" Sir Isaac Newton

  15. #15
    Super Moderator arash_hazeghi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    San Francisco, California, United States
    Posts
    18,545
    Threads
    1,318
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    this is excellent, well done
    New! Sony Capture One Pro Guide 2022
    https://arihazeghiphotography.com/Gu.../Sony_C1P.html


    ------------------------------------------------
    Visit my blog
    http://www.arihazeghiphotography.com/blog

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