Canada Aleutian and Canada Snow geese...nightly fly-in

I've used Photoshop for a couple years, the same amount of time I have been concentrating on my photo skills (after 40 years as a casual amateur). One of the things I (and everyone else using PS) should learn is how to make these adjustments with mask layers (something I did NOT do with this image). This will reduce the noise and other artifacts. I'm still learning. There are a few super tutorials in recent PHOTOSHOP USER editions that address this issue. One big bit of advice for any newbies...composition is more important than technical in an art show. It is the complete opposite in stock photography. I have seen a ton of poorly composed photographs on stock sites that looked great under a microscope!

 

Again, I appreciate all the input from everyone. I look forward to viewing all your portfolios here on photo.net.

 

Skip

I think I do like the example given with the top of the image cropped. It removes the especially dark bird at the top center of the image, which is distracting to my eye.

 

The orientation of the birds (tail towards the camera) results in the birds being more abstract. That is, you can't tell very well what kind of bird they are (the title tells us), so we look at them more as an abstract form. Shapes against a contrasting background. Unless the birds are very small and the flock very big (e.g., flock forming an intersting shape against the sunset), or unless the birds aren't the subject but merely decoration to the scene, I like being able to appreciate the individual birds. If only the geese would have cooperated a bit better and flown sideways!

My suggestion for cropping. Half sky, because i think the colors of the sky and the silhouettes of the birds is the most dominant elements to this picture, and the rest half the trees ant the ground.

A beautiful shot, the colour scheme is real good, the birds in the foreground look like flowers and ofcourse the black images of them swiftly flying. Soothing to the eyes.

Two points Skip and my prefered crop. I think, as long as you apply very good the golden analogies in the orizontal aspect, you should keep your frame to the same analogies too. Came out a diagonal that the ducks create at the right part , spliting the sky in similar analogies and add more dynamism; Most of the times I'm seeking a "sign" while moving the middle cursor in levels. I found a small pick to the right and choose to leave it there. It's darkening your picture but imo decresses the high contrast of the scene in the sky. My second point is a practical one but it may help in a way. (excuse my english please:)

I post an attachment but it didn't appear in the first place. I'm trying again

Not to be misunderstood, the diagonal was there but it was needed a bit cropping from the top to emphasise imo. And of course my suggestion concerns to the composition and forgets that it's a nature's scene that needs all the avaliable "information". So, it is only one point of view. Someone else could say that my suggestion neutralise the general impression, which is also a very good point...

Point taken, but this photo has just the right lighting and just the right amount of birds. I don't see any problem with this photo at all. It is a rare photo to take.

Beautiful image, it screams reputition and pattern all complimented by the right lighting.

 

nic :-)

Great shot! I like it "as is" and also with one poster's crop into a panoramic by taking some off the top. What really makes this shot work for me is all the layers - horizontal layers, layers of depth,and layers of light/shadow. This is a "quiet" picture full of movement. Can anyone say "Zen"?

Question: how many birds can you fit into one frame?

Answer: Don't even try it! Skip has clearly exceeded the maximum

(and in artistic fashion, no less).

I know that birds are able to sense each other, and a "crash" is unlikely. Still I see they are facing the same gridlock as we humans, with similar apparent results.

 

I love how some of the birds at the top seem to merge with others, creating new 4-winged species. The one at top center wins the prize for escaping, so desperately, from the pack.

 

It's a lovely photo, very evocative, and even a bit frightening(probably since I'm a fan of Mr.Hitchcock). It makes me wonder if we need to reassess how we all live with each other in close proximity. Maybe there is hope for our race after all ;-)

 

Great work skip!

very busy frame ! I like this busy