Posted by Jeroen Stel on September 29, 2010 at 1:54 PM
I finally managed to squeeze in an hour for photography...
The sun was out, bird migration is starting to get going so when that combination is happening i walways head out towards the beach to see if i can photograph some wading birds or other migrating birds.
Not many waders around today except for two lost Oystercatchers but i was happy to coma across this very cooperative Eider duck whilst it was catching some clams.
greetings,
Jeroen Stel
Canon Eos 1D Mark3
Shutter speed: 1/1000 sec
Aperture: F 4.5
Exposure mode: AV
Exposure compensation: - 2/3
Flash:no
Flash exposure compensation:
Metering mode: Evaluative
Drive mode: AI Servo
ISO: 200
Lens: Canon 600mm F4
Focal length:780 mm
AF mode: Auto Focus
On home-coocked groundpod
Levels/Curves/USM/Contrast/Saturation/Noise Ninja/Home stewed Sharpening-mix
Bibble Pro / Adobe Photoshop CS5
Posted by Lee fisher on September 29, 2010 at 2:01 PM
Like the low POV in this shot,
Lee
Posted by Geoffrey Baker on September 29, 2010 at 4:47 PM
Well captured
It looks like the duck is sinking
Well captured.
Geoff.
Posted by Jeroen Stel on September 30, 2010 at 2:53 AM
Thanks Geoff....just rescued this Eider Duck from sinking...
Hi Jeroen
I know from your previous posts that this image is not up to the standard that we've come to expect from you. There isn't really anything greatly wrong with it, apart from maybe the light, but equally there is little that really excites or interests me, it's just a profile pic of an eider. Sorry I can't be more positive but it always puzzles me when someone with your obvious talent and ability posts such an average shot.
Best wishes
Andy
Posted by Jeroen Stel on September 30, 2010 at 5:43 AM
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for you honoust opinion! Perhapsi should have posted another one from the series though this one i liked because i have had difficulty getting close to Eiders in tha past years an was excited i got this close to one feeding.
Perhaps this collage of some of the other shots i got that day would have been an better choice and will make it right...
I certainly hope that I never cause offence when I make comments on peoples images, it is certainly never my intention though I understand that it might become something of an occupational hazard for me as I will always choose direct but polite honesty over pointless platitudes.
As such, and because I am familiar with your work on an agency that also represents some of my work, RSPB Images, I feel obliged to critique your work on a pro to pro basis. That being said whilst these additional images are an improvement behaviourally they remain limited because of the poor quality/harshness of the light. Perhaps it is a sight worth visiting again at dawn when you next get the opportunity.
My best to you
Andy
Posted by Jeroen Stel on September 30, 2010 at 9:29 AM
Hi Andy,
No offence and you are right when it comes down to light and atmosphere there are better options at dawn.
Having two small children, a heavy work load and a lot of health issues however unfortunately prevents me from going out whenever i like and as this location is not exactly around the corner it does make it rather difficult to get the shots you refer to though i would love to get them. My aim is always to shoot "series" so i am not affraid to shoot a couple like these behaviour shots in regular light but will try to get some close-ups, high key, soft light, or other atmospheric shots also when my health and work situation allows me to.
It does make me think though about raising the personal bar so thanks for keeping me sharp and i will give it some more thought on how to solve that.
I guess in the end that's what this forum is meant to do and therefor another question we could ask ourselfs is wether we need to post only our best images down here or just the ones that could use a fair bit of critisism in order to improve our personal standard.
greetings,
Jeroen Stel
Posted by Craig Jones on September 30, 2010 at 9:35 AM
The second images jeroen are the best capturing nice behaviour in the female. Have you got the male?? Very hard to get a clean image most of the time. I hope your health picks up ready for our boxing match at Bradgate Hope you well and see you soon Jeroen
I for one certainly hope that your health issues improve so I'll wish you all the best on that front. One of the things that I want to avoid at all costs is just getting into the habit of commenting on every image and instead only commenting on ones where I think I have something constructive to offer.
I also try and temper my responses so that they reflect the amateur/professional status of the poster. As an example I'm always more likely to be critical of a post by someone such as yourself, Dan or Edwin (to name but a few!) if I feel that the image isn't up to scratch than I would be of a keen amateur who simply wants a little bit of constructive feedback. Equally so it is what I seek myself. I have no concern for how much my images are panned by people, as long as their feedback is an honest critique and not simply petty point scoring or pro-bashing.
Wishing you an improvement in your health with every passing day
Andy
Posted by Jeroen Stel on September 30, 2010 at 10:35 AM
Totally agree Andrew and thanks for the wishes concerning my heath! (thought that is a several year-plan i am affraid.. )
Discussion
10 repliesThe sun was out, bird migration is starting to get going so when that combination is happening i walways head out towards the beach to see if i can photograph some wading birds or other migrating birds.
Not many waders around today except for two lost Oystercatchers but i was happy to coma across this very cooperative Eider duck whilst it was catching some clams.
greetings,
Jeroen Stel
Canon Eos 1D Mark3
Shutter speed: 1/1000 sec
Aperture: F 4.5
Exposure mode: AV
Exposure compensation: - 2/3
Flash:no
Flash exposure compensation:
Metering mode: Evaluative
Drive mode: AI Servo
ISO: 200
Lens: Canon 600mm F4
Focal length:780 mm
AF mode: Auto Focus
On home-coocked groundpod
Levels/Curves/USM/Contrast/Saturation/Noise Ninja/Home stewed Sharpening-mix
Bibble Pro / Adobe Photoshop CS5
Lee
It looks like the duck is sinking
Well captured.
Geoff.
greetings,
Jeroen Stel
I know from your previous posts that this image is not up to the standard that we've come to expect from you. There isn't really anything greatly wrong with it, apart from maybe the light, but equally there is little that really excites or interests me, it's just a profile pic of an eider. Sorry I can't be more positive but it always puzzles me when someone with your obvious talent and ability posts such an average shot.
Best wishes
Andy
Thanks for you honoust opinion! Perhapsi should have posted another one from the series though this one i liked because i have had difficulty getting close to Eiders in tha past years an was excited i got this close to one feeding.
Perhaps this collage of some of the other shots i got that day would have been an better choice and will make it right...
greetings,
Jeroen Stel
Jeroen Stel
I certainly hope that I never cause offence when I make comments on peoples images, it is certainly never my intention though I understand that it might become something of an occupational hazard for me as I will always choose direct but polite honesty over pointless platitudes.
As such, and because I am familiar with your work on an agency that also represents some of my work, RSPB Images, I feel obliged to critique your work on a pro to pro basis. That being said whilst these additional images are an improvement behaviourally they remain limited because of the poor quality/harshness of the light. Perhaps it is a sight worth visiting again at dawn when you next get the opportunity.
My best to you
Andy
No offence and you are right when it comes down to light and atmosphere there are better options at dawn.
Having two small children, a heavy work load and a lot of health issues however unfortunately prevents me from going out whenever i like and as this location is not exactly around the corner it does make it rather difficult to get the shots you refer to though i would love to get them. My aim is always to shoot "series" so i am not affraid to shoot a couple like these behaviour shots in regular light but will try to get some close-ups, high key, soft light, or other atmospheric shots also when my health and work situation allows me to.
It does make me think though about raising the personal bar so thanks for keeping me sharp and i will give it some more thought on how to solve that.
I guess in the end that's what this forum is meant to do and therefor another question we could ask ourselfs is wether we need to post only our best images down here or just the ones that could use a fair bit of critisism in order to improve our personal standard.
greetings,
Jeroen Stel
I for one certainly hope that your health issues improve so I'll wish you all the best on that front. One of the things that I want to avoid at all costs is just getting into the habit of commenting on every image and instead only commenting on ones where I think I have something constructive to offer.
I also try and temper my responses so that they reflect the amateur/professional status of the poster. As an example I'm always more likely to be critical of a post by someone such as yourself, Dan or Edwin (to name but a few!) if I feel that the image isn't up to scratch than I would be of a keen amateur who simply wants a little bit of constructive feedback. Equally so it is what I seek myself. I have no concern for how much my images are panned by people, as long as their feedback is an honest critique and not simply petty point scoring or pro-bashing.
Wishing you an improvement in your health with every passing day
Andy
greetings,
Jeroen Stel