Posted by David Kjaer on December 10, 2006 at 7:17 AM
Taken yesterday - I have many images of Pintail in flight some very close and against a blue sky, but this to date is my favourite. I would have perhaps liked a little more speration in the following group but I feel the front two more than make up for it. For me the setting really works and creates more of a picture, others may find it a little distracting.
Canon 1D MkII + 500f4 + x1.4 iso 320 1/1000 at f6.3 on manual (unfortunately at this time the light was changing all the time and in the excitement of the moment I was almost a stop underexposed which has increased the noise a little)
Posted by Danny Green on December 10, 2006 at 8:08 AM
Hello David
Wow what a great photo, pintails are lovely ducks, I love the enviroment feel to this image. Surperb!!!!!!
Danny
Posted by John Chapman on December 10, 2006 at 8:11 AM
Hi David
great environmental shot not only showing the birds but also the surroundings.
John
Aberdeen
Posted by Graeme Lee on December 10, 2006 at 8:53 AM
Hi David,
Yes i like this image as it is. A great shot capturing the environment as well.
Graeme
Posted by Michael Sayles on December 10, 2006 at 9:01 AM
Looks good to me David! It also works well as a pano crop, removing most (if not all) the bright sky. That's just an 'extra' suggestion, cos this is a fine image as it is.
Michael S
Posted by John MacTavish on December 10, 2006 at 11:11 AM
I'm very much with Michael here.
I can't see what the sky's doing for the shot.
Posted by David Kjaer on December 10, 2006 at 11:25 AM
Hi John & Michael
I can certainly see what you are saying and did consider cropping out the light sky. In view of your comments I have also posted a cropped version. For me both work quite well the latter does draw your attention a little more to the Pintail. Interested to hear other views!
David
Posted by John MacTavish on December 10, 2006 at 11:38 AM
Marvelous.
Posted by Michael Sayles on December 10, 2006 at 11:42 AM
Wow! The crop certainly works wonders IMO. The pintail seem to have more 'pop' - maybe it's because my eyes are no longer drawn away into the distance by the sky?
Excellent stuff.
Michael S
Posted by Tim Munsey on December 10, 2006 at 11:43 AM
I'm not sure about the crop, the birds seem to close to the top of the frame so my vote is with the original shot which is excellent of course.
Tim
Posted by Sean Bolton on December 10, 2006 at 12:55 PM
Hi David
An excellent flight shot, although I would prefer it taken a fraction of a second earlier when the birds would be parallel or heading slightly toward the camera. I really like the habitat in this shot (Slimbridge wetlands I am guessing.....). The pano crop is a good idea, slightly too much bland sky in the original image, but I would prefer a crop that kept the pintails a bit more central in the frame. This still leaves a bit of sky in the frame but not enough to be a distraction in my opinion.
Here is my crop just as an idea ;
cheers
Sean
Posted by Philip Kirkham on December 10, 2006 at 12:56 PM
Hello David
I like the original best, a cracking image. The second one seems a little too squashed.
Best wishes
Phil
Posted by Dave Courtenay on December 10, 2006 at 1:30 PM
Great enviro image(s)
Posted by Paul Thomas on December 10, 2006 at 1:55 PM
I much prefer the original. It gives me a real sense of being there. A super shot. The cropped one looks somehow unbalanced to my eyes.
A really fine shot of the ducks in their habitat.Full of interest for the eye to explore.
I think the version with the sky works ok but I also like the re-post for the extra emphasis it places on the ducks in flight.
It's certainly handy being so easy to keep a version of each.
Discussion
16 repliesCanon 1D MkII + 500f4 + x1.4 iso 320 1/1000 at f6.3 on manual (unfortunately at this time the light was changing all the time and in the excitement of the moment I was almost a stop underexposed which has increased the noise a little)
Wow what a great photo, pintails are lovely ducks, I love the enviroment feel to this image. Surperb!!!!!!
Danny
great environmental shot not only showing the birds but also the surroundings.
John
Aberdeen
Yes i like this image as it is. A great shot capturing the environment as well.
Graeme
Michael S
I can't see what the sky's doing for the shot.
I can certainly see what you are saying and did consider cropping out the light sky. In view of your comments I have also posted a cropped version. For me both work quite well the latter does draw your attention a little more to the Pintail. Interested to hear other views!
David
Excellent stuff.
Michael S
Tim
An excellent flight shot, although I would prefer it taken a fraction of a second earlier when the birds would be parallel or heading slightly toward the camera. I really like the habitat in this shot (Slimbridge wetlands I am guessing.....). The pano crop is a good idea, slightly too much bland sky in the original image, but I would prefer a crop that kept the pintails a bit more central in the frame. This still leaves a bit of sky in the frame but not enough to be a distraction in my opinion.
Here is my crop just as an idea ;
cheers
Sean
I like the original best, a cracking image. The second one seems a little too squashed.
Best wishes
Phil
Paul
A really fine shot of the ducks in their habitat.Full of interest for the eye to explore.
I think the version with the sky works ok but I also like the re-post for the extra emphasis it places on the ducks in flight.
It's certainly handy being so easy to keep a version of each.
1st post is best IMO.