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Bird on a Mission

Discussion

9 replies
Posted by Ian Mason on August 31, 2009 at 6:25 PM
Bird on a Mission
1D2n, 600mm f4 is x1.4tc, 1/250s, f5.6. Fill flash -2.33, setting sun.

Experimenting here. I don't recall what was out of frame, but I'm intrigued by what this coot might be up to. Honest views are always appreciated.

LARGER VERSION
Posted by David Kjaer on August 31, 2009 at 7:56 PM
Hi Ian

Certainly breaks with tradition - great light and POV but I would prefer less FG and the bird further right in the frame!

David :toast:
Posted by Andy Shepherd on September 1, 2009 at 3:18 AM


Another fine Coot shot Ian, the minimal DOF works very well.

Andy...
Posted by David Sewell on September 1, 2009 at 4:29 AM
It breaks the rules, but so what if it works as well as it does here. I have loved these low level coot shots, and this one is no exception.

David

:toast:
Posted by Andy Astbury on September 1, 2009 at 4:51 AM
I love everything about this Ian - I like the amount of FG especially, and the great reflection. :wavey:

I can see where you are coming from with the coot so left in frame, but I can't make my mind up about it to be honest.

That in itself makes it an image I won't forget in a hurry..
Posted by Duncan Armour on September 1, 2009 at 5:46 AM
I love this and the composition is spot on for me. I know it is convention to have more space to the left, but this has far more punch by virtue of the dynamic placement of the bird. I'm sure if Turner had photographed coots rather than wasting his talents on painting he'd have been taking shots like this. :biggrin:
Posted by Chris O'Reilly on September 1, 2009 at 9:45 AM
Like the composition; I think ordinarily the image would be boarder-line in terms of its success, expect in this instance, the vegetation in the bird's bill adds a 'story' element to the shot: this, coupled with the impression that the bird has a purpose (because it is 'exiting' the frame), helps the image break the rules successfully.

Cheers,
Chris
Posted by jack chapman on September 1, 2009 at 1:34 PM
am a big fan unconventional comps, especially in this case with the vegetation in the bill, like Chris says adds a bit of narrative
Posted by Colin Crowdey on September 2, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Hi Ian

I'm all for doing away with convention - but sadly this one does not quite look right to me, I know this is your usual setup (which I like BTW) but the bird seems a bit lost in all the foreground for some reason - maybe a tighter crop?? Keep on experimenting it's nice to see

cheers

Colin
Posted by Justin on September 2, 2009 at 6:24 PM
The light and angle is outstanding but I'll admit to being a little compositionally boring and say that I'd prefer the empty space to be in front of the bird. I very much like the large expanse of space below the bird though, I think it kind of accentuates the low angle and the water and surroundings are such a wonderful colour it would be a shame to exclude any more than you have too.
:toast: