Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: Common Tern Feeding Chick ~ Does This Work????

  1. #1
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Haverhill, Massachusetts
    Posts
    1,647
    Threads
    313
    Thank You Posts

    Default Common Tern Feeding Chick ~ Does This Work????

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    I love the image because I sat for hours over two mornings at the proper tide trying to get it BUT....

    Just before I captured this, the fog rolled in lightly even though it was exceedingly bright. I was down low and using fill flash as I knew from the day before that many times in this spot at this time of day when the tide was right, the heads would be in shadow from the outstretched adults wings.

    I had to do a fair bit of shadow highlights, dodging and selective color adjustments to get the chicks head and adults bill looking remotely decent lighting wise. I would have liked more of the adults head but after watching this for two days, when they fly in and land to feed quickly, it happens in one quick instant and the wing is almost always positioned forward when the exchange takes place.

    So....I like it but I'm not happy with the lighting, thrilled that I got the pose I wanted and I thought I'd ask others what they think??????

    As Artie says...don't be shy!

    Nikon D300s, 600VR, ISO 640, f6.3, 1/4000 CW metering, 0 EV, active d lighting on normal, SB800 fill flash, -2EV on flash
    Last edited by Jim Fenton; 08-28-2011 at 05:58 PM.

  2. #2
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Ushuaia
    Posts
    79
    Threads
    20
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Great shoot! nice BG and ligth, very sharp!

  3. #3
    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    10,347
    Threads
    403
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Yes, Jim, it works. First of all, its a very unique capture. You can't see the adult's face, but you see the bill which and the transfer which is enough to tell the story. I love the way the wings are outstretched almost as to protect its young, and the adult's tail is up. The beach is nice and clean and I like the comp. You did a good job in PS. Looks to me as though your hard work in and off the field has paid off.
    Marina Scarr
    Florida Master Naturalist
    Website, Facebook

  4. #4
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    SW Michigan
    Posts
    14,112
    Threads
    820
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Jim:

    I love the lines of the adult. The story is clear despite the missing adult face.
    There is a faint halo above the chicks head.

    It does work well for me overall.

    Cheers


    Randy
    MY BPN ALBUMS

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

  5. #5
    Lifetime Member Doug Brown's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Albuquerque, NM
    Posts
    11,879
    Threads
    917
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Works well for me too Jim. Nothing wrong with a visible eye, but this image tells a complete story IMO.
    Upcoming Workshops: Bosque del Apache 2019, Ecuador 2020 (details coming soon)
    Website -
    Facebook - 500px

  6. #6
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Rotonda West , FL
    Posts
    3,642
    Threads
    198
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I like it too. I really like the angle of the adults wings and body right down to the tail. Nice soft colors and environment.

  7. #7
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    626
    Threads
    55
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Beautiful image!! I really, really like this one.

    Certainly worth your efforts.

  8. #8
    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Nova Scotia
    Posts
    12,731
    Threads
    910
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    this is terrific. it works for me.I like the protective nurturing moment captured by the parent's wings enfolding the chick. definitely a keeper
    gail

  9. #9
    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    26,266
    Threads
    3,976
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Works very well for me Jim. The comp is well balanced and flows nicely. From your description the image went through heavy-ish PP recovery, but turned out quite nice!

  10. #10
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Pune, India
    Posts
    328
    Threads
    26
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    what a moment captured excellent angle sharpness and use of flash..supeerb dof

  11. #11
    BPN Member Bill Dix's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Princeton, NJ
    Posts
    12,487
    Threads
    1,892
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Works for me. I share your frustration, having tried to capture a similar action a few weeks ago. Love the upraised wing over the juvi. Great work with the flash, and the PP. Halo noted.

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