Shutter Blur Crane

Gallery: AvianPosted January 31, 20141,025 views23 comments

Of the thousands of images I took of Sandhill Cranes at the Bosque, this is perhaps my favorite of them all. A moderately slow shutter speed helped to create motion blur in the wings, while capturing the head and body fairly sharply. The dof at 4.5 helps to give the viewer an idea of the setting and the remaining cranes. I chose this one out of a series, because of the wing position on the subject and the right hand bg crane's position. I'd love to know whether this works for you, and if you have any ideas for improvement. I don't print many of my images, but I am going to frame this one for my home.

50D, 500mm, ISO 1600, 1/400, F4.5 LARGER version provided for you. Thanks very much for your comments/critiques. I appreciate and learn from them all! Sharon

Comments

23 comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on January 31, 2014 at 9:38 AM

Really nice. I especially like the OOF birds in the background. Grounds the image and gives it context.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 31, 2014 at 10:16 AM

Very good sense of movement, excellent use of 1/400th with nice sharpness at the head/neck Sharon.
Nice colors, exposure, and the OOF birds bottom add well to your comp

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

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 31, 2014 at 10:22 AM

Sharon: When I look at images from the Bosque, there are some that just SCREAM Bosque. This is one of them. The choice of shutter speed worked very well and your execution was great in pulling this off. I like the OOF cranes in the background, but would think about removing the one on the far left edge, and maybe toning down the head of the one at the bottom right (not the one looking left). As you know from our workshop, being creative at the Bosque is a lot of fun and can produce some fantastic images. This one is great.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 31, 2014 at 12:04 PM

another great bosque image - as Keith said, creating something new and unique is a challenge, and you pulled this off perfectly.
Very well-done!

Sandy

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

Comment posted by William Bickle on January 31, 2014 at 12:12 PM

Hello Sharon

Beautiful capture of this guy! I enjoy your slower shutter speed to give some feeling on Action, Well Done !

I do enjoy some of the background birds , it does relay a feeling of being amongst a flock. The brighter whites on the oof birds are somewhat distracting to me .....If my image I would try to diffuse those brighter guys and then more emphasis would be on your stunning image here and it would look amazing on your wall:)

Thanks for sharing

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Thomas Miller on January 31, 2014 at 12:18 PM

Well done

Registered on March 10, 2011, 56 Posts, 56 Comments

Comment posted by Barb Pflaum on January 31, 2014 at 12:21 PM

Very nice image, Sharon! I like the feeling of motion created by the motion blur of the wings and I like the OOF birds in the bg. I agree with the suggestions to tone down the bright whites in the OOF birds.

Registered on January 14, 2009, 316 Posts, 2724 Comments

Comment posted by John Neukirch on January 31, 2014 at 1:11 PM

Count me in as a big fan of your capture here Sharon. Should look stunning hanging on your wall.

Registered on July 9, 2012, 207 Posts, 1476 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 31, 2014 at 1:33 PM

You nailed this one, Sharon. Your dof and shutter speed were perfect for this situation. the whole body is nice and crisp with just the blur in the wings. Beautiful image.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by keith mitchell on January 31, 2014 at 4:20 PM

I would certainly frame it Sharon it deserves to be hung on your wall, those OOF birds really add to the image, great work.

Keith.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 31, 2014 at 6:38 PM

really nice, Sharon, I can see why this would be a favorite. love the angle of the bird, the sense of motion and the dreamy bg. nothing about the bg cranes bothers me at all. Print it large!

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

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on January 31, 2014 at 6:44 PM

Hi Sharon

Color and pose to die for

A beautiful and artistically done composition

Albert Darmo
Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on January 31, 2014 at 7:43 PM

A beautiful and very artistic flight capture Sharon. Love the light and the background.

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 31, 2014 at 9:25 PM

Sharp where it counts and nice blurred wing movement - great shot Sharon

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

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on February 1, 2014 at 12:21 AM

A very nice flight shot with excellent wing position. Overall a sweet shot!

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on February 1, 2014 at 9:18 AM

Wonderful Sharon, I can see why this is your favorite! Love the wing blur, outstanding work!

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on February 1, 2014 at 10:47 AM

As to your question: YES - it works for me - an wonderful shot ! Well done Sharon

, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on February 1, 2014 at 10:59 AM

Beautifully captured image and the blur serves you well. The background birds are an excellent addition

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Ákos Lumnitzer on February 1, 2014 at 11:33 PM

For me, perhaps just a little tight around the frame. However, I do love the movement in the wings and it is nice and sharp!

Registered on April 24, 2004, 25 Posts, 510 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 2, 2014 at 3:07 PM

I like this a lot Sharon, maybe just a touch more room around the bird if you have it. The oof birds make this shot for me.

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

Comment posted by Bill Marsh on February 2, 2014 at 5:17 PM

Beautiful image Sharon! Good choice of shutter speed for wing blur while maintaining sharpness in the head. I agree with Keith the oof birds in the bg really adds to the image. Definitely hang this one on your wall.

Bill

Registered on December 29, 2012, 21 Posts, 225 Comments

Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on February 3, 2014 at 2:40 PM

Stunning BIF images of beautiful bird...

Registered on February 16, 2012, 118 Posts, 767 Comments

Comment posted by Alan Bryant on February 3, 2014 at 5:35 PM

Very nice overall image Sharon

Registered on March 31, 2006, 473 Posts, 1081 Comments