Piping Plover

Gallery: AvianPosted November 11, 2010135 views14 comments

I took more creative license than I usually do on my images and cloned out a wrack line that was above this birds head that took up about 1/5 of the image. The smooth OOF BG at the very top of the frame was naturally there so I basically extended it down... just trying to have a little fun with my plover shots - not trying to fool anyone.

Nikon D300s 300 f4 + 1.7X TC lying on the beach
f/8
1/500s
ISO 800
+.33 EC

Sharpened subject using smart sharpen and then USM. Full Frame

- Luke

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Julia Flanagan on November 11, 2010 at 6:19 PM

You've gotta like the simplicity of this. The complimentary plumage and sand lets you know this bird is in its element.

Well done,
Julie

Registered on November 13, 2003, 59 Posts, 986 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on November 11, 2010 at 6:21 PM

Good work on the edit - not a problem as long as it is disclosed as you have done. I like the composition - the plover small in the frame and the emptiness around it remind me of how vulnerable this species is. It also reminds me of the long walk on loose sand we used to have to do to see them in spring at Sandy Hook in NJ.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on November 11, 2010 at 8:33 PM

I like it, Luke. very nice comp, and your PS work looks great.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on November 11, 2010 at 8:58 PM

Luke - tack-sharp bird and perfect cloning. No problem at all for me to get rid of junk.
Love the comp and placement.. not the typical tight shot that really gets boring after awhile.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on November 11, 2010 at 10:00 PM

Nice one Luke - I really like these sorts of shots where the bird stands out but is still dwarfed by its surrounds.

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Pete Bengeyfield on November 11, 2010 at 10:29 PM

I like the placement of the bird in the frame, and I imagine removing the wrack line was an improvement,as the BG is great.

Registered on December 2, 2003, 1247 Posts, 3439 Comments

Comment posted by Jay Martin on November 11, 2010 at 10:36 PM

Nice job with the flat light - IMO It helps with the mood that you've carried out with the open comp.

Registered on December 6, 2005, 200 Posts, 2209 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on November 12, 2010 at 2:01 AM

Great low angle and I like the pale sand setting. Also like the bird's pose and eye contact. Exposure is spot-on.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on November 12, 2010 at 9:35 AM

Love the "lonely" comp here Luke. Nice job on the clone work can't tell at all. One of your best IMO.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on November 12, 2010 at 11:27 AM

Good detail on the plover and a very interesting composition, fun to experiment around with the comp when the image allows, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on November 12, 2010 at 4:34 PM

Really nice comp and ps work Luke

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on November 12, 2010 at 8:21 PM

Love the comp and the photo. This would make a nice pano, too. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on November 13, 2010 at 3:10 PM

Your PS work is great. I like the starkness of the shot.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on November 15, 2010 at 5:00 PM

Great shot Luke. and the PS work paid off.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments