Footprints

A recent trip to Scotland when the weather was scorching in the rest of the UK but about 9 degree C where I was. Initially I had been attracted to the rich details in the sands with the wild like background. Walking around the beach allowed me to find a suitable subject that had been washed up. The majority of the rest of the beach was untouched by footprints but some people had obviously seen the bird and come to investigate. Maybe this is a bit Man and Nature mixed with Wilderness? C&C Welcome.

1/10, f16, ISO50, 29mm

Good Natural History story but maybe a little too deep for some.Should say subtle ? but couldn't spell it !
Works for me though. Maybe a dramatic darkening of the sky and a lightening of the bird could give it some clout ?
Cheers
JohnR

I like the idea, and whilst I,like the shot I think it would have been more graphic if the camera was held above your head looking down to really show the footprints coming then going. I've got a lot of dead bird pictures too!

I agree with John, the interaction of humans drawn to carrion! after thousands of years we are still doing it,, like rubbernecking at accidents. Good idea! POV change for next time.

Hi Ian - I can see where you were going with this but from a comp perspective I think the carcass is a little too high in the frame, and the footprints are making some odd lines.

Did you shoot this in LS format too - be interesting to see it if you did.

Hi Ian,

It tells a story which is what photography is all about? Some people may not get it but that aside i really like it.

I would agree that a burning in of the sky to dramatise it a bit more would really work IMO.

Shaun

I cant really see where this natural history, its like photographing a dead person and calling it a portrait. not my cup of tea im afraid.

Dale

Dale .... it's natural and that bird is certainly history so.......

Ian, I like it. It does show the fragility of nature and even if man was not responsible for the death of the bird it does show how much death intrigues us as a species.
However I do agree the bird could be placed a little lower in the frame.

I like this one, but I also agree that the bird is a bid too high in the frame.

Natural processes and the environment are all Natural History as far as I can see. I don't think I have broken any hard and fast rules to posting an image of a dead bird in a natural wild setting.

Dale, I would be interested in more feedback on why this isn't Natural History?
John, Nice idea about holding the camera from a higher position to show the footprints.

I do have a lower perspective shot of the bird, a bit closer in and I also have it in Landscape as suggested by Andy, but maybe Ive just chosen the wrong version of the shot to show...

Thanks for all the feedback.

Ian

Just poor taste Ian and to think you would stop and take the time to make a photograph out of it or evan worse to think it was a subject to put on this forum to show like a trophy.

Shame on you

Life is all about death as far as I can see; death both fascinates and repels human beings, so I can't really agree with Dale on this one, but each to his own. I like the sentiment, and I think you had everything in front of you that you needed to make a telling shot, but for me, I think you narrowly missed it. The footsteps seem to be too confusing and don't tell the story quite obviously enough imo. I think its an excellent and worthwhile post , that tells a story, I just don't find it easy enough to read. Great to see a post that isn't just a record of this or that species though Ian.
eric

Dale,

Do you not think a lot of photos on the forum where live bait and small rodents are captured by owls are in bad taste too? If we take your latest shot of the vole just about to be ripped to pieces by the Tawny Owl and this is just another photograph showing the process of life. Mine is a just a later stage just showing a record shot of a dead bird in wilderness area. I don't consider my shot to be a 'Trophy' shot as you put it - I'm looking to improve my overall photography not show off about how good I am - I actually think my Natural History photography needs a lot of work and I was hoping that this forum would be the place to improve this...I have thought for a long time that it may not be. I thank you for your honest passionate answers and viewpoints though.

I can't see how my shot is like photographing dead people and don't really see the reference to natural history photography in this respect other than for making of a liable comment. There are right way of responding and wrong ways with myself feeling that your response was rather combative and unprofessional - it may do you well to re-read the guidelines provided at the top of the forum before you passionately respond in the future.

Thanks Ian