Posted by Ian Mason on January 25, 2009 at 2:56 PM
1D2N, 600mm f4 is, 1.1600s, f4, iso 400
Someone suggested the expression on this lady's face says "come hither". How could an aspiring young suitor fail to succumb?
Ah - I remember the days.......
Update: I'm amazed at the positive response to this! For those interested, a larger version is available on the avian site:
Already had my say on the avian forum, stunning shot
Posted by Rob Chace on January 25, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Don't know if the dribble would float my boat! Love the viewpoint & reflected colours
Regards
Rob
Posted by Andy Shepherd on January 25, 2009 at 3:21 PM
It's another beautiful image Ian, great reflection
Andy...
Posted by Matt Cole on January 25, 2009 at 3:30 PM
the low POV, the pose and the lighting are excellent Ian. The reflection looks a little strange to me though, has the canvas been stretched at all? The way the reflection of the neck stretches towards the bottom of the frame, as 2 parallel straight lines doesn't look quite right - unless it's just some strange optical effect.
Matt
Posted by Tim Taylor on January 25, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Beautiful! I love the lighting and the absolute stillness of the water. I guess that long reflection is simply a result of your extremely low POV.
Tim
Posted by Ian Mason on January 25, 2009 at 3:44 PM
Matt
"has the canvas been stretched at all?"
No - nothing added in or taken out. It must be just the effect of the low POV. The central longitudinal axis of the lens was at water level. Always give whacky results.
Posted by John Robinson on January 25, 2009 at 3:49 PM
Lovely shot Ian , but the reflection kind of overpowers it for me. Still nice though.
JohnR
Posted by Matt Cole on January 25, 2009 at 3:50 PM
that's interesting Ian, I wouldn't have expected the reflection to look like that. It really adds to the image though - it's a beauty.
Matt
Posted by Edwin kats on January 25, 2009 at 3:51 PM
Absolutely stunning shot. Well done. Great POV and reflection.
A bit grainy for iso 400?
Edwin Kats
Posted by Colin Crowdey on January 25, 2009 at 4:00 PM
excellent capture, love the dripping water drops and certainly an unusual reflection
Beautiful lighting, a common bird photographed well!!!!
Craig
www.craigchurchill.co.uk
Posted by Lea Roberts on January 25, 2009 at 4:36 PM
nothing i can add here what a corcker
lea
Posted by Nigel Blake on January 25, 2009 at 4:40 PM
A low POV stunner, a fressh look at an all too familiar species, it works for me; although the blue cast in the shadows could do with warming up a tad, but that is a very minor nit
Posted by Craig Nash on January 25, 2009 at 4:46 PM
I think you should cut half the reflection as at present I think it overpowers the rest of a really nice image.
Posted by Brett Lewis on January 25, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Works for me.. Had to think about it as I wasn't sure about the lower half of the image but as I kept coming back it really started to work. Very nice indeed..
Brett
Posted by Ian Mason on January 25, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Nigel
"blue cast in the shadows could do with warming up a tad"
I've always said this forum is the greatest way to learn this hobby. I see exactly what you mean and many thanks for pointing it out. Problem is - how do I "warm it up"?
Posted by Ian Mason on January 25, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Update - I looked in PS help and used a custom photo filter on the blue bits. It does make a difference. I also converted it to sRGB, which I had omitted to do. I also gave a moderate round of noise reduction to the background (although I now think this has affected the outline of the head). By the way, all the shots at this location look very saturated and have high contrast - I don't think it's excessive processing on my part, judging by my observations of others techniques.
Posted by Paul Hobson on January 25, 2009 at 5:43 PM
superb image, great approach and positioning in the frame
Posted by Andy Astbury on January 26, 2009 at 4:06 AM
Image to be proud of Ian - 'nuff said
Posted by Danny Green on January 26, 2009 at 4:50 AM
Another belter Ian your photography is coming on in leaps and bounds.
Danny
Posted by Elliott Neep on January 26, 2009 at 8:23 AM
Can't remember seeing a better Mute Swan image before. Everything about it is stunning - light, background, low POV, reflection, turn of head, water droplets. Simply superb!
Posted by Gary Beers on January 26, 2009 at 10:16 AM
I can only echo what Elliot said.
An absolute cracker!
Posted by tony flashman on January 26, 2009 at 11:32 AM
I find it hard to get excited about a Swan shot, but it has to be said this image is truly superb!
Tony
Posted by John Chapman on January 26, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Beautiful picture Ian.
Posted by Guy Rogers on January 26, 2009 at 3:14 PM
Hello Ian.
Liked it when I first saw it on the avian forum. Really nice image.
astounding contrast in the palette makes this a winner. I keep looking at the composition as I fiond myself wanting to do something about it, but have not succeeded in finding a better one, do you have more space to play with?
Posted by Ian Mason on January 26, 2009 at 4:11 PM
I'm flabbergasted by the response to this - it's really very much appreciated. I realise I have a very special setting and hope some new birds will start to visit.
Tom
"do you have more space to play with? "
Yes, but only on both sides - I tried to keep the swan off centre.
Because of the enormous response, here is a link to the larger image on the avian site:
Discussion
39 repliesSomeone suggested the expression on this lady's face says "come hither". How could an aspiring young suitor fail to succumb?
Ah - I remember the days.......
Update: I'm amazed at the positive response to this! For those interested, a larger version is available on the avian site:
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/largephoto.cgi?ref=114013
Pete
Regards
Rob
It's another beautiful image Ian, great reflection
Andy...
Matt
Tim
"has the canvas been stretched at all?"
No - nothing added in or taken out. It must be just the effect of the low POV. The central longitudinal axis of the lens was at water level. Always give whacky results.
JohnR
Matt
A bit grainy for iso 400?
Edwin Kats
cheers
Colin
That's a cracking shot from all aspects.
Barry
That's a cracking shot from all aspects.
Barry
Craig
www.craigchurchill.co.uk
lea
Brett
"blue cast in the shadows could do with warming up a tad"
I've always said this forum is the greatest way to learn this hobby. I see exactly what you mean and many thanks for pointing it out. Problem is - how do I "warm it up"?
Paul
Chris
Danny
An absolute cracker!
Tony
Liked it when I first saw it on the avian forum. Really nice image.
This really does it for me absolutely superb!!!!!!!!!!
Keith.
Tom
"do you have more space to play with? "
Yes, but only on both sides - I tried to keep the swan off centre.
Because of the enormous response, here is a link to the larger image on the avian site:
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/largephoto.cgi?ref=114013
Simon
This would look fantastic framed on the wall