This is one from a evening last summer where I was privileged to witness some arctic skuas hassling arctic terns for a free meal. They move unbelievably quickly so I was pleased to get anything in focus. Happy new year to all, c&c's always welcome
Great shot, Andrew. I always think these shots are really valuable. They provide action and a story which lends itself to different uses.
The similar wing poses are great.
Best wishes.
Chris
Posted by Lewis Thomson on January 1, 2010 at 10:46 AM
Hi Andrew,
Happy new year. I completely agree with Chris, the action and behaviour in this shot is ace, all topped off by great positions and poses of both birds in the frame.
If you were able to stage manage an image to show a natural conflict I think you'd struggle to do better than this. ALL the elements that matter are spot on- the wings, bodily attitude, placment of small fish, etc.
But the reall killers are the really strong diagonals which gives an incredible sense of tension - the lower right to upper left bird - to - bird, and the lower left to upper right skua wings. This is a really intelligent and well thought out image that works on many levels.
The relationship of subject to the borders in images is REALLY important and this image demonstrates this eleoquently.
Love it!
Posted by Andy Astbury on January 2, 2010 at 3:06 AM
Happy New Year Andy
I found these dark brown 'pocket rockets' to be as big a highlight as the eagles when I was over in Norway last summer - and you've captured the essence of them superbly here, a very strong image
Now far be it from me to tell a NatGeo pro demi-God anything, but - there's a sharpening halo around said Skua
Posted by Andy Shepherd on January 2, 2010 at 11:10 AM
Excellent image Andrew, like the symetry between both Tern and Skua regarding the wing position and the tail feathers, also agree with what John Mac was on about
JM - Thank you for your generous comments, you have picked up on exactly what I like about this image and you have also made some other interesting observations that I had overlooked so thank you for taking the time to give such detailed and thoughtful feedback.
AA - I've recently been given some sharpening tips by DG (One of my agents had always told me to only sharpen in the lightness channel of Lab color and this is what I would always do until sausage fingers told me not to.) As you are DG's monitor calibrator in chief and general Photoshop guru then if there is any problem with my sharpening it is therefore technically your fault!!
Cheers
Andy
Posted by Paul Hobson on January 2, 2010 at 4:15 PM
Hi Andy
great image delightfully balanced with super eye contact and action, top class
paul
Posted by Mark Wilson on January 2, 2010 at 5:13 PM
Very nice Andy, great interaction between the subjects.
Posted by Liam Pauling on January 3, 2010 at 11:32 AM
Great shot Andrew, really enjoyed viewing the series on your website.
liam.
Posted by Ian Haskell on January 4, 2010 at 3:59 PM
Great shot and interaction, dont think I can put it any better than JM.
Discussion
14 repliesNikon D300, 200-400mm lens, ISO 320 1/1000/F4
The similar wing poses are great.
Best wishes.
Chris
Hi Andrew,
Happy new year. I completely agree with Chris, the action and behaviour in this shot is ace, all topped off by great positions and poses of both birds in the frame.
Cheers,
Lewis.
Des
But the reall killers are the really strong diagonals which gives an incredible sense of tension - the lower right to upper left bird - to - bird, and the lower left to upper right skua wings. This is a really intelligent and well thought out image that works on many levels.
The relationship of subject to the borders in images is REALLY important and this image demonstrates this eleoquently.
Love it!
I found these dark brown 'pocket rockets' to be as big a highlight as the eagles when I was over in Norway last summer - and you've captured the essence of them superbly here, a very strong image
Excellent image Andrew, like the symetry between both Tern and Skua regarding the wing position and the tail feathers, also agree with what John Mac was on about
Andy...
JM - Thank you for your generous comments, you have picked up on exactly what I like about this image and you have also made some other interesting observations that I had overlooked so thank you for taking the time to give such detailed and thoughtful feedback.
AA - I've recently been given some sharpening tips by DG (One of my agents had always told me to only sharpen in the lightness channel of Lab color and this is what I would always do until sausage fingers told me not to.) As you are DG's monitor calibrator in chief and general Photoshop guru then if there is any problem with my sharpening it is therefore technically your fault!!
Cheers
Andy
great image delightfully balanced with super eye contact and action, top class
paul
liam.
Ian