Comments on: Shorebird Blur http://www.my-photo-blog.com/shorebird-blur Photo blog featuring outdoor, travel and nature photos. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:03:07 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jeff Wignall http://www.my-photo-blog.com/shorebird-blur/comment-page-1#comment-91913 Jeff Wignall Sat, 16 May 2009 18:23:58 +0000 http://www.my-photo-blog.com/?p=2696#comment-91913 I looked at this image for a long time before I read any of the text and my first reaction was to write to you and just say "Wow!" I think this is an extraordinary image (and yes, you chose just the right shutter speed for all the reasons that you stated) and I was swept away by it. It reminds me of an image that I saw in Audubon many, many years ago (perhaps on the cover, I'm not sure). But that image must have really impressed me to stay in my mind for 20 or 30 years--yes? I think this one will, too. What really makes this photo work, for me, at least, is the fact that there are, in that sea of swirling birds, a few sharp birds (just to the right and above center, for example) and those birds really help anchor that very diffuse abstraction. The problem with a lot of wildlife photos is that while they're perfect and sharp, they don't necessarily capture the feeling of what it was like to be there--the sound, the motion, the frenzy. This photo does that. I also like that there seems to be a central path through the image (the center third, horizontally) that is sharper than the top and bottom, so you get the sense that this perhaps a rotation, a whirlpool of activity. I also like and would absolutely keep the blue/ocean at the top of the frame. I think that it lends a sense of depth and distance that is much needed in this kind of abstraction. It's also, interestingly, a beautiful color match to the sort of tawny beige of the birds. (I've just been reading Josef Albers' book on color and this reminds me of some of his examples--a great book if you happen to see it: "Interaction of Color: Expanded and Revised.) So, not to start a family argument :) but I like the blurred ones--not always, but I love this one. I would get bored with too many of them (in a book, for instance) but the one thing most wildlife photos don't do these days is capture the soulfulness of animals, the poetry of their motion. This shot does. So: Wow! You know that you're going to have to write your own book on travel or wildlife photography pretty soon :) jeff www.jeffwignall.com I looked at this image for a long time before I read any of the text and my first reaction was to write to you and just say “Wow!” I think this is an extraordinary image (and yes, you chose just the right shutter speed for all the reasons that you stated) and I was swept away by it. It reminds me of an image that I saw in Audubon many, many years ago (perhaps on the cover, I’m not sure). But that image must have really impressed me to stay in my mind for 20 or 30 years–yes? I think this one will, too.

What really makes this photo work, for me, at least, is the fact that there are, in that sea of swirling birds, a few sharp birds (just to the right and above center, for example) and those birds really help anchor that very diffuse abstraction. The problem with a lot of wildlife photos is that while they’re perfect and sharp, they don’t necessarily capture the feeling of what it was like to be there–the sound, the motion, the frenzy. This photo does that. I also like that there seems to be a central path through the image (the center third, horizontally) that is sharper than the top and bottom, so you get the sense that this perhaps a rotation, a whirlpool of activity.

I also like and would absolutely keep the blue/ocean at the top of the frame. I think that it lends a sense of depth and distance that is much needed in this kind of abstraction. It’s also, interestingly, a beautiful color match to the sort of tawny beige of the birds. (I’ve just been reading Josef Albers’ book on color and this reminds me of some of his examples–a great book if you happen to see it: “Interaction of Color: Expanded and Revised.)

So, not to start a family argument :) but I like the blurred ones–not always, but I love this one. I would get bored with too many of them (in a book, for instance) but the one thing most wildlife photos don’t do these days is capture the soulfulness of animals, the poetry of their motion. This shot does. So: Wow!

You know that you’re going to have to write your own book on travel or wildlife photography pretty soon :)

jeff
http://www.jeffwignall.com

]]> By: Paul Grecian http://www.my-photo-blog.com/shorebird-blur/comment-page-1#comment-91897 Paul Grecian Sat, 16 May 2009 14:27:23 +0000 http://www.my-photo-blog.com/?p=2696#comment-91897 All the bird work is great, but this piece stands out to me. It is one of the finest motion images I've seen. What an amazing large print this must make. All the bird work is great, but this piece stands out to me. It is one of the finest motion images I’ve seen. What an amazing large print this must make.

]]> By: Noella Ross http://www.my-photo-blog.com/shorebird-blur/comment-page-1#comment-91896 Noella Ross Sat, 16 May 2009 14:22:09 +0000 http://www.my-photo-blog.com/?p=2696#comment-91896 I like the colour effect without cropping the ocean. But I also see a different picture if it was to be cropped! It would look like one of those "Magic Eye" pictures with the 3D image that forms when the eyes focus in the distance! So one photo without cropping beautifully shows movement of the birds with hint of ocean; and one photo with the blue cropped expresses the design that is found in nature and a bit of mystery! I really appreciate your beautiful photography, Ron, and your blog. Warm wishes from Australia. Noella I like the colour effect without cropping the ocean. But I also see a different picture if it was to be cropped! It would look like one of those “Magic Eye” pictures with the 3D image that forms when the eyes focus in the distance!

So one photo without cropping beautifully shows movement of the birds with hint of ocean; and one photo with the blue cropped expresses the design that is found in nature and a bit of mystery!

I really appreciate your beautiful photography, Ron, and your blog.

Warm wishes from Australia.
Noella

]]> By: Denise http://www.my-photo-blog.com/shorebird-blur/comment-page-1#comment-91613 Denise Thu, 14 May 2009 19:22:35 +0000 http://www.my-photo-blog.com/?p=2696#comment-91613 I am not a photographer. I am a lover of your work! I spent a lot of time just enjoying this shot. I do not care for blurred pictures. This one is awesome! I am not a photographer. I am a lover of your work! I spent a lot of time just enjoying this shot. I do not care for blurred pictures. This one is awesome!

]]> By: Mom http://www.my-photo-blog.com/shorebird-blur/comment-page-1#comment-91607 Mom Thu, 14 May 2009 17:17:31 +0000 http://www.my-photo-blog.com/?p=2696#comment-91607 It is perfect the way it is, no cropping. The blur is great, just enough to tell that it is a bunch of birds, yet showing motion. It is perfect the way it is, no cropping. The blur is great, just enough to tell that it is a bunch of birds, yet showing motion.

]]> By: Ron http://www.my-photo-blog.com/shorebird-blur/comment-page-1#comment-91605 Ron Thu, 14 May 2009 17:04:24 +0000 http://www.my-photo-blog.com/?p=2696#comment-91605 Wow, what a bunch of great, insightful comments - I really appreciate it! Good eye on the bird Carl! :) Wow, what a bunch of great, insightful comments – I really appreciate it!

Good eye on the bird Carl! :)

]]> By: Roberta http://www.my-photo-blog.com/shorebird-blur/comment-page-1#comment-91591 Roberta Thu, 14 May 2009 14:13:35 +0000 http://www.my-photo-blog.com/?p=2696#comment-91591 Oops - interrupted = interpreted. And no don't crop. The blue of the ocean gives the image context. Oops – interrupted = interpreted. And no don’t crop. The blue of the ocean gives the image context.

]]> By: Roberta http://www.my-photo-blog.com/shorebird-blur/comment-page-1#comment-91590 Roberta Thu, 14 May 2009 14:09:29 +0000 http://www.my-photo-blog.com/?p=2696#comment-91590 It absolutely works. To me it captures a poetry of motion. Yes, I'm known for liking and using blur in my images, but still... There is a world of emotion that can't be interrupted through literal translations of a given scene. This would be one of those occasions & one of those images. Wonderful! It absolutely works. To me it captures a poetry of motion. Yes, I’m known for liking and using blur in my images, but still… There is a world of emotion that can’t be interrupted through literal translations of a given scene. This would be one of those occasions & one of those images. Wonderful!

]]> By: Jim Goldstein http://www.my-photo-blog.com/shorebird-blur/comment-page-1#comment-91513 Jim Goldstein Thu, 14 May 2009 07:08:56 +0000 http://www.my-photo-blog.com/?p=2696#comment-91513 I wouldn't change a thing with this photo. I'm also a firm believer in adding variation to your portfolio. With that in mind you're not creating such images for the larger population, you're creating an image that is targeting someone looking for something different. To one degree or another that is almost always going to be a minority of your viewing audience. Such images grow on people. I've seen similar images to this and when executed well the blurring can be incredibly attractive. I would definitely classify this as well executed. Beautiful work Ron. I wouldn’t change a thing with this photo. I’m also a firm believer in adding variation to your portfolio. With that in mind you’re not creating such images for the larger population, you’re creating an image that is targeting someone looking for something different. To one degree or another that is almost always going to be a minority of your viewing audience. Such images grow on people. I’ve seen similar images to this and when executed well the blurring can be incredibly attractive. I would definitely classify this as well executed. Beautiful work Ron.

]]> By: David Taylor http://www.my-photo-blog.com/shorebird-blur/comment-page-1#comment-91501 David Taylor Thu, 14 May 2009 04:02:38 +0000 http://www.my-photo-blog.com/?p=2696#comment-91501 Hey Ron- I really like this. Usually I'm not a big fan of the blur shots - but this is done expertly. It shows the frenetic activity of a mass of shorebirds in flight, great motion, but still very identifiable as a mass of birds. Really cool. I don't think I'd crop the top off, I honestly don't know why I like it there - I just do. Sorry I can't be more specific. Hey Ron-
I really like this. Usually I’m not a big fan of the blur shots – but this is done expertly. It shows the frenetic activity of a mass of shorebirds in flight, great motion, but still very identifiable as a mass of birds. Really cool. I don’t think I’d crop the top off, I honestly don’t know why I like it there – I just do. Sorry I can’t be more specific.

]]> By: Carl D http://www.my-photo-blog.com/shorebird-blur/comment-page-1#comment-91468 Carl D Wed, 13 May 2009 23:57:55 +0000 http://www.my-photo-blog.com/?p=2696#comment-91468 hey Ron, I wouldn't crop it - great photo. I think I see a 2 year old female buff-breasted sandpiper in there. Cheers Carl hey Ron,

I wouldn’t crop it – great photo.

I think I see a 2 year old female buff-breasted sandpiper in there.

Cheers

Carl

]]> By: John Wall http://www.my-photo-blog.com/shorebird-blur/comment-page-1#comment-91454 John Wall Wed, 13 May 2009 23:39:59 +0000 http://www.my-photo-blog.com/?p=2696#comment-91454 Very nicely done. Very nicely done.

]]> By: Richard Wong http://www.my-photo-blog.com/shorebird-blur/comment-page-1#comment-91389 Richard Wong Wed, 13 May 2009 21:41:20 +0000 http://www.my-photo-blog.com/?p=2696#comment-91389 btw, don't crop. btw, don’t crop.

]]> By: Richard Wong http://www.my-photo-blog.com/shorebird-blur/comment-page-1#comment-91388 Richard Wong Wed, 13 May 2009 21:40:45 +0000 http://www.my-photo-blog.com/?p=2696#comment-91388 This is fantastic Ron. Mainly because the middle portion is sharp enough which accentuates all of the motion in the rest of the frame. This is fantastic Ron. Mainly because the middle portion is sharp enough which accentuates all of the motion in the rest of the frame.

]]> By: Tim http://www.my-photo-blog.com/shorebird-blur/comment-page-1#comment-91383 Tim Wed, 13 May 2009 20:52:07 +0000 http://www.my-photo-blog.com/?p=2696#comment-91383 Hi Ron, I like this just like it is. Very nice! Hi Ron,

I like this just like it is. Very nice!

]]> By: Ron http://www.my-photo-blog.com/shorebird-blur/comment-page-1#comment-91382 Ron Wed, 13 May 2009 20:51:16 +0000 http://www.my-photo-blog.com/?p=2696#comment-91382 Wow, thanks for all the great feedback so far! Calvin, for some reason I thought you were going to be over there for the shorebirds. Good to hear from you. Ron Wow, thanks for all the great feedback so far!

Calvin, for some reason I thought you were going to be over there for the shorebirds. Good to hear from you.

Ron

]]> By: Calvin Hall http://www.my-photo-blog.com/shorebird-blur/comment-page-1#comment-91381 Calvin Hall Wed, 13 May 2009 19:58:25 +0000 http://www.my-photo-blog.com/?p=2696#comment-91381 Great shot Ron, I like it a lot the way it is. Just enough sharpness to know what is happening, with a beautiful painterly blur. If I were to crop it at all it would be half of the blue off the top. My reason would not be to get rid of the blue, but to change the balance of the picture upward. The foreground blur has a bit of blue to it that balances well with the top. Great shot Ron. Might also be intersting in black and white. Great stuff as always. Great shot Ron,
I like it a lot the way it is. Just enough sharpness to know what is happening, with a beautiful painterly blur. If I were to crop it at all it would be half of the blue off the top.
My reason would not be to get rid of the blue, but to change the balance of the picture upward. The foreground blur has a bit of blue to it that balances well with the top.

Great shot Ron. Might also be intersting in black and white.

Great stuff as always.

]]> By: Dennis Barton http://www.my-photo-blog.com/shorebird-blur/comment-page-1#comment-91363 Dennis Barton Wed, 13 May 2009 18:04:30 +0000 http://www.my-photo-blog.com/?p=2696#comment-91363 I quess Iam like Janine, I am not a big fan of blurred images, but they do show the movement going on. I like to crop some in images but I don't always do it. In this photo I don't think cropping would make a lot of difference. I quess Iam like Janine, I am not a big fan of blurred images, but they do show the movement going on. I like to crop some in images but I don’t always do it. In this photo I don’t think cropping would make a lot of difference.

]]> By: Sherri Meyer http://www.my-photo-blog.com/shorebird-blur/comment-page-1#comment-91362 Sherri Meyer Wed, 13 May 2009 17:48:55 +0000 http://www.my-photo-blog.com/?p=2696#comment-91362 Ron - I am fond of blurs. I think this one works quite well. Normally, I would crop a skinny strip of something such as the ocean out. But, in this case, I think it works! Ron – I am fond of blurs. I think this one works quite well. Normally, I would crop a skinny strip of something such as the ocean out. But, in this case, I think it works!

]]> By: Janine http://www.my-photo-blog.com/shorebird-blur/comment-page-1#comment-91359 Janine Wed, 13 May 2009 17:27:26 +0000 http://www.my-photo-blog.com/?p=2696#comment-91359 For a blurred image I like this ok. But, yes, I would crop the ocean off the top :) For a blurred image I like this ok. But, yes, I would crop the ocean off the top :)

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