Mute Swan

50D, 400/2.8 + 1.4, Beanbag, Open car window.
ISO400, 1/1600 @ f8.
ACR5.5 + resize & sharpen CS4
Full Frame

Hi,

One from a day where I thought I would be going home with nothing.

This is straight from the camera... all I have done is use the post crop vignette set to -20 in Adobe Camera Raw. Following a conversation earlier this week over competition rules I maintained that this effect can be obtained within camera...

How do you feel on this, does pre or post make any difference?

All the best

Phil

I dont like this at all, to me, vignetting is something people strive to avoid, not enhance. The composition doesnt enthrall either.

Steve,

Fully appreciate your opinion, but perhaps you could comment further... why are people trying to avoid rather than enhance vignetting? and why does the composition not enthrall?

Really interested in the reply here...

First off, Phil, I like the treatment of the image - the composition is good, there's a nice depth to the colour of the water and the vignette complements the image - it lends an almost 'hide-like’ view.

Now for the can of worms: I guess it depends on what you are adding or subtracting in post-production and what the image is to be used for. Purists would argue that 'out-of-camera' shots are the only acceptable images; others will embrace the 'freedom' digital photography has brought to experimentation.

Having witnessed the reaction of an audience to a Steve Bloom presentation (ouch!) there is definitely a camp that gets very twitchy over manipulation. For me honesty is key - tell people what you've done and let them make up there minds about it. The creative expression that digital manipulation brings (even if it is converting colour to b&w) is well worth exploring, but the boundaries of acceptability are at the discretion of the manipulator. I for one would wish not to be 'caught out' by trying to pass an image off as being 'straight' if it wasn't.

Cheers,
Chris

Chris,

Thank you, the sort of response I am looking for...

Phil

Love the composition,the pose capturing the swan's dipped head,maybe a tad more room above the head but no real big thing.The treatment looks good and as long as the photographer has been open about it ,as you have, I cannot see a problem.Very nice Phil

Hi Phil

Overall I like it. I think the vignetting, works well in this image and compliments the white of the Swan by allowing you to keep the exposure down on the whites giving great detail and good contrast against the dark water. Still a little undecided about the composition but I do like the gradiation into the very dark water in the FG!

David

It's a personal thing... but the vignetting doesnt work for me in this setting. It's too heavy for one thing, a more subtle approach would probably look better.

Pre/Post, depends on the 'artists' vision doesn't it .

I like the depth of colour in this, however it is achieved.

If the competition organisers request the RAW file, and this is waht you wish to present, vignetting must be done in camera.

Fortunately you have picked a subject that is likely to stay aroung long enough for you to try several different techniques.

While I like the image, I am not sure it is strong enough to stay in my memory for long.

I am not too sure about the comp Phil. It should be right; the bird is heading in the right direction, but I think that it is not really heading down into the picture enough if that makes sense. If the bird was facing more towards you I think it would feel better, as it is, I think you have a bit too much below it, but that is just a matter of opinion. I personally think that comp wise, an image feels best to me if the subject is heading through the centre of the frame to the opposite corner.The vignette? I can take it or leave it. I don't really care whether it is done in or out of the camera, personally I would only use it if I thought it would make it more saleable; ie maybe a card or something, but personally vignettes don't excite me at all.
What I do like very much are the colours and I think David K is spot on - I really like the water getting darker in the foreground as well. Funny you should only get a swan from a day that promised nothing - that's when I am always glad of a subject that isn't scared of people as well and I always end up with a swan too.
Just my thoughts.
Eric

Phil, I normally hate vignetting. But I've gotta say this one actually works for me. I think it has enriched the colour of the water thus making the swan stands out even more. The only nit for me is that I'd give the top a wee bit more room.

Des

Hello Phil.

This is the third time I have looked at this know as the first time I didnt like it, I just found the vignetting to much. But now I'm getting use to it I find my self likeing it quite alot and the vignetting is no longer a problem and the lighting is quite nice on the swan. Composition is fine for me.

No offence meant, im very new to all this critique, the only person i can critique well is myself, hence so many images go in the bin, but i agree with other posters reasons for not liking it.

Hi Phil,

I'm not keen on this one. It just reminds me of poor digiscoped images, thats not to say the image lacks quality. I 'm not a big fan of vignetting, so again all down to personal tastes I guess. I always feel that its better to get effects such as this in camera if possible, but I suppose it doesn't really matter in the end. Interesting subject.

Cheers,

Lewis.

Cheers all, was looking for pre or post opinions....

Steve... no offence taken, take care

Phil

Personally I like the vignetting which almost gives this image a 'tunnel view' of the swan which works for me. However I am uncertain of the composition.

Fran

I've looked a few times now Phil, and I'm afraid I can't see beyond the vignetting. Mute swans are superb and in this case I feel the effect is detracting from the subject - I know that many others will disagree!