Posted by Craig Strand on April 21, 2011 at 10:35 AM
CAUTION- If you prefer Not viewing images with blood, please move to the next posting.
Yesterday was one of those great days at the wildlife refuge that us birders pray for. A lot of birds about doing their thing including this Red-tailed Hawk having a duck lunch... on a tree at eye level and only 30ft away. I've seen this very tame hawk before as has Nate, he has little fear of man or cars and can be seen close up.
This image cropped about 33% off the bottom to eliminate the hanging ducks head and parts. I am a bit torn between my preferences to show realistic images and the remaining bloody parts that I know others would not care to see. I would love your feedback on thoughts on how much realism, if any, is acceptable in subjects consuming prey images like this.
Exceptional image, Craig!
Great perspective from eye-level, fine detail, prey, and decent BG. If possible, darkening ther lighter BG areas a bit would improve this even further.
A trial of Viveza would do it.
I'd also like to see the whole duck - that's part of nature, sad as it is.
Sandy
Craig,
It seems that people are avoiding your question regarding how much blood and gore to include. For me, it's about the composition. In this case, the photo is about a bird of prey with prey. We see the prey and know it's a fresh kill. More importantly, we see a wonderful image of the hawk . Including more prey, IMO, would take away from the focus on the hawk. I'm even tempted to crop another inch or so off the bottom. Nicely done.
I couldn't see any image at the blood and guts link. I'd like to see that one too, but I'm inclined to agree with Nick. I love the detail in the hawk, the prey is incidental though relevant.
Posted by Scott Smorra on April 23, 2011 at 12:27 AM
This is excellent Craig. I love how the hawk's eye is looking directly at the viewer. I could go either way with the duck (the link to the full version doesn't seem to be working though)
Posted by John Williams on April 23, 2011 at 12:50 AM
I too would like to see the full version to compare, but suspect I would like either more cropped or the full photo equally. I have no problems with the gore, it is integral to nature and tells a story that is important.
Your ability to capture these dramatic moments/shots never ceases to amaze me (GET AWAY LUNCH, ONE JUMP SHORT, etc.).
I can dig it. I took a shot of a cow that got butchered and its throat slit, blood everywhere, but the neat part was, the other cow that ran away and was peeking out from behind a tree. He was next. Nice capture here. :)
Discussion
7 repliesYesterday was one of those great days at the wildlife refuge that us birders pray for. A lot of birds about doing their thing including this Red-tailed Hawk having a duck lunch... on a tree at eye level and only 30ft away. I've seen this very tame hawk before as has Nate, he has little fear of man or cars and can be seen close up.
This image cropped about 33% off the bottom to eliminate the hanging ducks head and parts. I am a bit torn between my preferences to show realistic images and the remaining bloody parts that I know others would not care to see. I would love your feedback on thoughts on how much realism, if any, is acceptable in subjects consuming prey images like this.
If your interested in commenting on the question of "How much blood and guts is OK" their is a reposting of the original uncropped image here -
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/ic.cgi?a=ep1&pr=171258&CGISESSID=4c1eef4474708474dda6cb7c9f595780&u=22789#bottom
canon 7D
canon 600mm f4.L
F/10 1/30 ISO 100
auto window beanbag rest
Great perspective from eye-level, fine detail, prey, and decent BG. If possible, darkening ther lighter BG areas a bit would improve this even further.
A trial of Viveza would do it.
I'd also like to see the whole duck - that's part of nature, sad as it is.
Sandy
It seems that people are avoiding your question regarding how much blood and gore to include. For me, it's about the composition. In this case, the photo is about a bird of prey with prey. We see the prey and know it's a fresh kill. More importantly, we see a wonderful image of the hawk . Including more prey, IMO, would take away from the focus on the hawk. I'm even tempted to crop another inch or so off the bottom. Nicely done.
Your ability to capture these dramatic moments/shots never ceases to amaze me (GET AWAY LUNCH, ONE JUMP SHORT, etc.).