Taking Flight

Gallery: AvianPosted April 2, 2011100 views6 comments

Taken from a blind on the Platte River near Kearney, NE. The experience of being so close to the Cranes was great, the only problem was there was a very heavy cloud cover so the lighting was not conducive for photography. A couple of Eagles came flying up the river and they all took off. I got one image that I felt had some merit. Does this work, does it have to much blur, I am interested in your comments. I wish the bird at the center was more in focus, but not so. Thanks for your comments.

Canon 30D
Tokina 80-400
Aperture Priority
Shutter 1/45
Aperture f8
ISO 1000
400mm
Levels, Curves, NR and Sharpening

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on April 3, 2011 at 9:03 AM

Richard, I have viewed this image a couple times now. At first I did not care much for it because of the amount of blur. Now I am not sure. I looked at the larger image a little longer and now I like it. The little spots of red from the heads and the sense of motion the blur brings are winning me over. Is this full frame? If not, can you include more birds? Good job.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on April 3, 2011 at 6:46 PM

Richard I think this works really well. My eye is taken to the center Crane and the only thing I could think of doing differently would be achieving greater focus there...or not. Nice image IMO.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on April 3, 2011 at 8:40 PM

I like the blur. To me it represents the organized chaos when a large flock takes off.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on April 3, 2011 at 10:43 PM

I like it, but the smaller image works better for me. The reds look more compact in that view and help to define the birds.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on April 4, 2011 at 9:07 AM

I've tried this myself with the waxwings here. I think for it to work its best the bird or birds center need to be in reasonable focus. Still a dynamic image with good energy..I heard someone say "organized chaos"
It works for me

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on April 4, 2011 at 12:44 PM

Richard: The blur effect is better this time. It would have been great to have the central bird in focus. You could enhance this by reducing your focal length. Having a greater number of birds in the frame will create a better blur effect.

Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments