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Thread: Least Tern Offering

  1. #1
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    Default Least Tern Offering

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    Canon 1D4
    500mm +1.4x
    Gitzo/Wimberley spread low

    ISO 640
    1/8000 sec
    f/5.6


    From a Fort Myers beach in early May. Least tern male offering a fish to a female. I think these terns--well, all terns really--are stunningly beautiful and elegant. Haven't posted in a while as I've been so busy with springtime shooting, but am thinking a lot about terns this week as I'm looking forward to Mike Milicia's workshop in MA this weekend; least terns and piping plovers nesting. Excited to finally meet Gail Bisson there!
    I wish I could have had a better view of the male's eye, but they are tough in these guys, to show up clearly. I did add a catchlight to his as I didn't have one there in the original image. A better view of the fish of course would have been a bonus too. But I really liked the elegant lines of their poses, and her open beak.
    This is maybe a 30% crop. In CS5, cloned out some specular highlights and beach detritus. Worked quite a bit on recovery on her chest. Sharpening. NR on BG.
    Thanks so much for looking. All C & C greatly welcomed.

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    Forum Participant Joe Senzatimore's Avatar
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    Nice comp and behavior captured. You mentioned the points that would improve the image , but it is still a very nice rendering or the courtship antics. And yes , they are very elegant birds.

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    Super Moderator arash_hazeghi's Avatar
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    excellent pose and interaction Melissa
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    I'm quite happy to view this image as is. Wonderful lines and curves with great interaction.

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    Melissa, excellent image...the behavior, the low angle, the size and placement of the subjects...looks very good. Open bill a huge plus.

    You can improve the catchlights IMO....one is low in the eye and the other high..looks unusual. I find the WB a bit on the warmer side. But other than these two things, everything is excellent.

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    From the angle of the shot I hope you must have been wearing a wet suit. Nicely done. I find Kaustubh comments immensely helpful but I like the warmth.

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    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    Hi Melissa,
    I am looking forward to meeting you as well.
    I like the lines very much and the action displayed and the nice low angle.
    I like the seamless transition of the sky/beach/water.
    I think I would cool the image a bit as the greys seem a bit yellow to me.
    Gail

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    BPN Member Bill Dix's Avatar
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    The lines of this image are stunning, and I love the way the birds stand out against the silvery grey BG. Wonderful low angle. Terrific interaction captured. The image is definitely on the warm side, but I like it that way.

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    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
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    Great expressions and IQ, Melissa.
    Very nice angle and really good comp and crop for this.
    Dan Kearl

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    Ofer Levy
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    Fantastic behaviour shot!!

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Quite simply a beautiful shot. I would be very happy with the poses, I think this is one of your best shots.

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    Excellent light, details and bg, Melissa.

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    Thanks for all the comments. Yes, Stan, I got super wet! Was wearing quick dry clothes though, so didn't care.
    I appreciate your expert eye and comment on the wonky placement of the catchlight, Kaustubh, will correct that.

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