Ebb and Flow

[Morkel Erasmus]

This won't be everyone's cup of tea...but I am curious to get as much feedback here as possible.

If it works for you - tell me why.
If it doesn't - tell me why.
I had a specific image in my mind when photographing these birds, and went for a slow shutter speed.

These flocks of Red-Billed Quelea were "ebbing and flowing" like a swarm of locusts from shrub to shrub in search of grub in the Kalahari desert. I tried to capture that motion.

Techs:
Nikon D3s with Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
f7.1 @ 1/100 SS @ ISO-200

[ramesh anantharaman]

My God Morkel You Have confused me here with this one. Give me sometime to decide.....

[ramesh anantharaman]

Morkel, this does work for me. the whole idea of restlessness and a fury to search for food is depicted real well. Just a thought, would a little bit more contrast have worked?? like below????

[James Fuller]

I like the "vintage" feel that this image has. Black and White but I am sensing some warmer tones to it. Don't know if that makes much sense or not.

[Geir Jensen]

I like it because it is different. Would like to see more such images.

[Marina Scarr]

I liked it from the thumbnail to the full size image. The B&W really works here. I like the fact that there is chaos yet some are perched. There's just enough motion for you to really get the feel. This tells a good story. I agree that it would be nice to see more of these type captures. I like both versions above. Yours is more ethereal.

[Dan Busby]

First Morkel - I really like the image. I try not to think too much when I first look at a photo and I just liked it. It made me look around at different birds, examine corners, come back to the perched birds, then look around again. In other words, it kept my interest. As Marina said - I like this one best as posted because it seems more ethereal and that fits with the B&W portrayal. However I don't get the "Ebb and flow" part of it - it's more like "taking flight" to me. None-the-less, a winner for me.

[dankearl]

I like it, I would actually like to see a color version.

[denise ippolito]

Morkel, I love the flow of the image, the OP has my vote. Nice eye for this one.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks for the responses, folks...glad you enjoyed it...

I guess the title was how I perceived their movements and I hoped to have translated that into the image...but alas...

Here is the colour version for interest' sake (and upon request)...no real processing done here except RAW conversion.

[Doug Brown]

The title is perfect for the image. There's a great sense of motion and purpose. You picked a shutter speed that kept the perched birds fairly sharp while conveying the feeling of flight nicely. I wish there were some way to create a bit more visual separation between the perched birds and the flyers.

[Dave Leroy]

I like the idea and I really like the different aspect. I think even though they are blurred more dof would have helped the flying birds. I am glad you posted the color version as I was wondering about it, but my preference is for the b/w.

Thanks for posting.

[Arthur Morris]

I like all three especially the B&Ws. Best I like the combination of the blurred birds in flight and the almost-sharp perched birds. The single black branch that touches the frame edge on the lower left bugs me.....

[Ofer Levy]

I am afraid I have to be the bad guy...again...
Doesn't work for me because of various reasons. First, the birds are so tiny in the frame that I can't see much detail even on the perched birds. Another thing is that I don't have any anchor in this image - my eyes keep looking for such an anchor from where I can start. The bush is a bit overpowring. Turning this into B&W doesn't make things any better IMHO as the main issues stay the same.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks for the varied and honest feedback, folks.

I knew this wouldn't float many people's boats.
It floats mine...which is what matters most at the end of the day. I enjoyed capturing the image. I enjoyed processing the image. I enjoyed my photography, and am pleased with the end result. Whether it is fitting for competitions or magazine covers is a secondary issue.