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The Stare

Discussion

16 replies
Posted by Rob Ashton on September 19, 2006 at 5:40 PM
The look conveys everything in this shot. I really like the position of the head even though you loose the lovely beak.

EOS 300D
Sigma 50-500mm
f8.0
1/1000th
ISO 100
Posted by Justin on September 19, 2006 at 6:22 PM
Hi Rob,
What a beautiful portrait.
I'm a real sucker for attractive colourful settings and this one really grabs my attention.
The gannets white feathers contrast really well with that rich blue backdrop and to top it all off, even the birds facial markings and eyes match the surroundings :cool:
I also particularly like the composition here with the thin layer of nesting material being just enough to show what the bird is doing whilst not distracting the eye from the main subject.
The green folliage also adds a nice splash of extra colour to the scene,and again works superbly with the blue.
Great detail and the eye contact is the icing on the cake.

One of the most attractive gannet portraits I've seen.

:toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by Helge Sorensen on September 20, 2006 at 2:18 AM
Man, what a mean looking fellow :eek: A very impressive image Rob. My only nit is it's a bit to tight in the frame for me. I think maybe it would work with a vertical crop showing only head and breast.

:toast: :toast:
Posted by Tom_W on September 20, 2006 at 2:50 AM
Nice Istrong vibrant image, a tad more room wouldn't go a miss, but thats easily done with the 3 sides
Posted by Chris Lloyd on September 20, 2006 at 3:38 AM
I have to agree with what has already been said. Great shot overall.

Regards Chris.
Posted by Paul Williams on September 20, 2006 at 3:48 AM
Excellent shot, some may say it looks like me in the morning or at work! I like the crop as it is, but the quality of the shot means it could be cropped in many ways and still work.
Posted by Rob Ashton on September 20, 2006 at 3:54 AM
Thanks for you comments. I have taken onboard the crop issues and I have plenty of room all round so a less tight composition is well possible.

Cheers

Rob
Posted by Dave Courtenay on September 20, 2006 at 4:08 AM
Miaerable looking bugger-one of my favorite birds and a cracking portrait :toast:
Posted by David Kjaer on September 20, 2006 at 5:38 AM
A tad more room is my only small nit - very nice!

David :toast:
Posted by John Chapman on September 20, 2006 at 5:47 AM
Hi Rob
what a stunning shot and I agree with all the comments Justin made.
John
Aberdeen :toast:
Posted by Michael Sayles on September 20, 2006 at 6:35 AM
Superb. And I don't think it's too tight in the frame at all. I don't see how a bit more room around it would improve the pic.

Michael S
Posted by Terry on September 20, 2006 at 7:53 AM
The crop is ok with me and the blue bg really makes the bird stand out but I wouldnt want to meet him down a dark alley at night :wink:

Terry
Posted by Alan Woolnough on September 20, 2006 at 2:01 PM
Its a belter Rob!

Unusually for me, this 'head-on' composition works perfectly :toast: , and the deep blue bg really sets the bird off nicely.

Nicely done!

Alan
Posted by Malcolm Muir on September 20, 2006 at 2:11 PM
Can't add anything more Rob - superb.

Malcolm :toast:
Posted by Andrew Forsyth on September 20, 2006 at 5:17 PM
Very clean, excellent colours and a superb expression. Harsh reflected light on the chest troubles me a bit, perhaps worth working on?

A :wavey:
Posted by Philip Kirkham on September 21, 2006 at 5:03 AM
Hello Rob
I think the size in the frame helps to make this work even better. My eyes were drawn straight to hers. I like it a lot.
Best wishes
Phil :toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by PhilH on September 21, 2006 at 6:06 AM
What a great image, love it... the hot white is easy to fix.... definately a cracker, well seen.

:toast: :toast: