Chaffinch

1D Mk iv, 300mm f4, 1/3200s, f4, iso 640.

It's been a real slog at the pool. Very few birds of any kind around - probably too mild. Incredible winds make it pretty impossible when they do appear. Changed the perch!

Hi Ian, got many images of this 'very ordinary, much underrated bird' myself, but none over water! I take my hat off to you, this is a lovely image, with my favourite colour knockout BG. You've delt with harsh lighting well, and the reflection is great, my only niggle is the cut off point in the reflection, but it's a minor nit! Love this, and I hope it will prompt more posts of this little gem!!
Regards,
Paul Rosser.

The lighting seems a little harsh on the larger picture for my taste and perhaps a little off the top and bottom whilst keeping it balanced but thats my preference. Like the perch!

Nick.

can't fault it

Looks good to me Ian

Bob

Hi Ian,

I'm afraid I am not sure here, I think perhaps because it could almost be set on an infinity cove and it is not obvious that it is water.... I like the idea and I think I know what you are trying to achieve... perhaps it is too clean? I don't know... food for thought and a possible big discussion?

Hi Phil

I do appreciate honesty and real critique - many thanks. Out of interest, what's an infinity cove?

Ian

Hi Ian,

Apologies, an infinity cove is simply a background that has no sharp corners, when constructed correctly the Curves have a large diameter, used very often in advertising studios and quite often (I think I have the right company) Venture portrait studios.

The idea is that with the gentle curves and correct lighting the background appears seamless and infinite...

When they moved us to new office and studio space we asked for an infinity cove in our main studio area... The Architects certainly did not do their research very well...

All the best

Phil

Thanks for that Phil. I suppose that is what I am aiming for. The effects are different in each shot as I'll illustrate in another post later.

This forum has been a source on invaluable education and help over the years, which I truly value. Therefore, I have to ask for more feedback on the apparent "harsh" lighting. I usually associate harsh lighting with dark shadows and highlights on the point of burning out. The shot was taken if full winter sun, almost right behind me and very low in the sky. Yes, very bright indeed, thus bringing out the colours, but hopefully not too much contrast. However, what do you think? - That's what counts.

Many thanks!

No problem Ian... I am really looking forward to how this project progresses... for me the lighting is not 'harsh'... the bird does look a little light but that may be regional variation, I have posted Chaffinches and they appear slightly different in tonality to those from other parts of the country.

Perhaps a small reduction in the mid tones and a very slight decrease of the overall exposure on conversion along with reducing the blacks a touch to control the contrast... its hard to tell without seeing the original file... and of course at the end of the day it is your vision that drives the image...

Best wishes

Phil

I have read Phil's comments with interest, as to me the lighting on the bird does appear a little harsh. Nothing that could not be toned down very easily though - assuming you want to.

David

Hmmm....the word "harsh" seems to have a different meaning to each of us. Just looked up harsh in the dictionary and in reference to lighting it says " lacking in aesthetic appeal or refinement". Well no, that isn't the case here so my initial use of the H word is out of turn. I think what I meant to say was that the lighting is too bright on the bird and the low sun reflecting off the water thus lighting it from below has totally lit the bird leaving no shadow anywhere and I think, to my eyes, the bird looks flat...if that makes sense. Please do not get me wrong Ian I do like the image and the concept you are trying to achieve but the lighting on this ocassion seems to me not to work so well. Hope that helps.

Nick.

Thanks Nick. Very useful feedback. I've had another look and I agree totally. I've toned it down a little.

That's great, much better.

David

Absolutely much better...still not convinced on the infinity pool... but so looking forward to more.....

Hi Ian
Full marks for ingenuity and effort Ian, - technically and photographically it is excellent .

I have to say though to be really honest, the thing that worries me is that as a picture of a chaffinch at a pool it just does not look natural , but I assume you were not trying for that .As Phil describes regarding the infinity cove it looks as though it has been taken as a studio advertising shot The perch does not help, and as you know I have never been keen on the artificially low angles on pool shots.
This is just my personal view of course and I know some will not feel the same, and love it.
Just being honest
Cheers
John

Ian I too am not sure about this for the same reasons as Phil. The bg colour and bird are superb, but I am not sure about the everlasting feel it has to it

Oscar

This post is certainly getting eveyone posting! That is what this forum is supposed to be all about so full marks Ian for getting everyone thinking and posting. The re-post is a little better but the bird still looks flat to me due to a total lack of shadow...but that is my feeling on the picture. I think I can see in my minds eye what you are trying to achieve and when you do it will be superb but like Marmite I strongly suspect it will be either a case of love or hate.

Nick.

Tee-hee! This is great!!! Many thanks for all the interesting feedback.

John - I can't win with perches. It's just a natural moss-covered stone... The blighters need something to stand on.

For me it is instantly recognisable as an Ian Mason image. That is enough for me; I like it a lot.

I like it a lot. Great image.

Beautiful image and pose captured repost is better for me