Thanks to those who commented or viewd the last posting.
I am so far behind in my processing and updating, so a concerted effort next month, I hope.
Photographing this guy & the Black woodpecker was fun, especially in the condition illustrated and where the light was certainly of a premium. Not happy with the OOF objects that are on the LHS that look like bad PS work, so may address that another time, but I quite like the mush and ALL done in camera. However, those that have been trying CS6 will know some of the new features that will take the heartache out of achieving something like this.
Steve
Subject: GSW on tree in snow (Dendrocopos major)
Location: Finland
Camera: Canon MKIV
Lens: 500f/4 + 1.4x - Arca swiss head/Gitzo tripod
Exposure: 1/125s at f/8 ISO1600 +1.33 stop compensation
Crop: Slight tighter for presentation (original capture vertical)
Posted by David Sewell on April 13, 2012 at 10:10 AM
I like the mush as well, Steve. It lifts this shot out of the ordinary, and gives an idea of the weather conditions at the time.
Steve the mush as David says does add to the image and gives a good feel of the weather conditions,like it!
Keith.
Posted by Paul Whippey on April 13, 2012 at 2:32 PM
Superb Steve. No nits from me!
Posted by Nick Mckeown on April 13, 2012 at 3:06 PM
Another great woody image Steve. The mush does add to the image and feel of the weather conditions. Its little feet look frozen!
Nick.
Posted by Barry Southon on April 13, 2012 at 3:16 PM
Steve
A unique image under what I would assume were appalling conditions. Albeit you have stamped your skill on the finished image the larger version is even better IMHO.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise.
Posted by John Robinson on April 13, 2012 at 9:03 PM
Steve
Have come back to this a few times and can't make my mind up. I,m not a mush fan but I agree sometimes it works, A lot of peeps use it as an an excuse for an intruding foreground and then say it was intentional
However - what puts me off a bit by this shot is the perch. A nice gnarled trunk would have made it. Otherwise no probs.
Cheers
JR
Thanks everyone, very much appreciated and a big thank you to Barry for the extremely kind words at the end of his reply.
John, the shot was taken in January, deep snow (waist high), minus 25 with very limited light, believe me. Therefore considering the depth and degree of snow/ice any chance of seeing the trees and 'gnarled' trunk would have been limited to say the least, plus those shots you describe I feel now, are rather tired and too set-up, with limited atmosphere/interest and oh so predictable. However, I will post one for you in the near future, no set-up, just by chance, shot from the car sun roof as I was watching some other stuff, as 'Woody' made his way through the trees searching for food above me.
I really like the mush on this one as it 'blends in' with the overall snowy atmosphere. I can see where JR is coming from regarding the perch and I think the ideal would be a combination of the snowy scene/mush and a slightly more rugged perch. However, when shooting wild you have to make the best image from what you are presented with and in this case you have done that. Incidentally, what is the perch Steve? Is it just a very smooth trunk or is it a telegraph pole or what? I take it this is not a pre-baited set up.
Posted by Bob Johnson on April 14, 2012 at 4:56 AM
Excellent Steve. The space to the right of the bird gives a nice depth to the picture
Bob
Posted by John Robinson on April 14, 2012 at 11:35 AM
Steve
I take your point but I,m affraid some of us I have to use setups ( I certainly do most of the time ) and am unable to travel so I don't have a lot of choice ! The gear I can afford won't really do long range stuff anyway.
Cheers
JR
John, I think we know each other long enough, and perhaps we are some of the older ones here in terms of stint on the Forum, (albeit the majority of my time is now spent elsewhere) so I understand/aware of your situation and at times, the reasons why you have some colour issues, however. Parking that aside I do think both have merits, but if you have a 'set-up' then you are in FULL control of the environment, shooting position and ultimately, the gnarled log. In addition, the Forum is there not only to act as a showcase, but also for ideas, locations and hopefully, and for me, the most important part, to illustrate different ways to interpret the same shots that have been taken year after year to add interest and variety and to avoid staleness.
Rob, it is a real, living tree, what species I have no idea. If I find a better example I will fwd it to you. Do you still have the bumper ID book of trees for boys?
I like the idea, however the composition is not sitting too comfortably for me, its a personal thing but I feel that there is too much 'dead' space behind the bird... its looking to the correct place but out of, not into the image area... hope that makes sense...
Discussion
16 repliesI am so far behind in my processing and updating, so a concerted effort next month, I hope.
Photographing this guy & the Black woodpecker was fun, especially in the condition illustrated and where the light was certainly of a premium. Not happy with the OOF objects that are on the LHS that look like bad PS work, so may address that another time, but I quite like the mush and ALL done in camera. However, those that have been trying CS6 will know some of the new features that will take the heartache out of achieving something like this.
Steve
Subject: GSW on tree in snow (Dendrocopos major)
Location: Finland
Camera: Canon MKIV
Lens: 500f/4 + 1.4x - Arca swiss head/Gitzo tripod
Exposure: 1/125s at f/8 ISO1600 +1.33 stop compensation
Crop: Slight tighter for presentation (original capture vertical)
David
Keith.
Nick.
A unique image under what I would assume were appalling conditions. Albeit you have stamped your skill on the finished image the larger version is even better IMHO.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise.
Have come back to this a few times and can't make my mind up. I,m not a mush fan but I agree sometimes it works, A lot of peeps use it as an an excuse for an intruding foreground and then say it was intentional
However - what puts me off a bit by this shot is the perch. A nice gnarled trunk would have made it. Otherwise no probs.
Cheers
JR
John, the shot was taken in January, deep snow (waist high), minus 25 with very limited light, believe me. Therefore considering the depth and degree of snow/ice any chance of seeing the trees and 'gnarled' trunk would have been limited to say the least, plus those shots you describe I feel now, are rather tired and too set-up, with limited atmosphere/interest and oh so predictable. However, I will post one for you in the near future, no set-up, just by chance, shot from the car sun roof as I was watching some other stuff, as 'Woody' made his way through the trees searching for food above me.
Bob
I take your point but I,m affraid some of us I have to use setups ( I certainly do most of the time ) and am unable to travel so I don't have a lot of choice ! The gear I can afford won't really do long range stuff anyway.
Cheers
JR
Rob, it is a real, living tree, what species I have no idea. If I find a better example I will fwd it to you. Do you still have the bumper ID book of trees for boys?
cheers
Steve
Matt
I like the idea, however the composition is not sitting too comfortably for me, its a personal thing but I feel that there is too much 'dead' space behind the bird... its looking to the correct place but out of, not into the image area... hope that makes sense...
But know what you mean.
Oscar