On The Wing!

Holy Cow, I had just pressed the 'enter' key, went to check to see if it took, and there was your comment!  I'm surprised by but grateful for your speedy take on this one.  I agree with your observation; 40 years ago I took my then young son to one of those shows (I think it was called the Firebird) Perhaps that's why this one appeals to me.  Hadn't thought about it until you mentioned 'puppet show' Best, LM.

This is good, Len!

right away to my favs.

Regards 

Mário

I'm happy to hear this one resonates with you.  I was reluctant to post it at first, mainly because the bird is flying 'out' of the frame.  Perhaps this is one time that 'rule' can be broken.  Best, LM.

i aggre that the bird isn't placed 'by the book' , but after you learn the rules , they are there to be broken ;) after all you are creating :). furthermore I think this image has lots of ritm .

regards,

Mário

Fantastic capture, superb b/w work and a unique and scroll stopping image.  Good stuff... Mike

Thanks for the follow up.  This was the last of a set of frames I took of this Robin.  You speak of 'creativity' but there is a large 'luck' factor here too. Luck is good.  :-)  Many of my shots incorporate it.  Best, LM.

Thanks for your enthusiastic response. Apart from taking the shot my only creative effort was to convert to B&W in photoshop.  Seemed an obvious option to me.  Best, LM.

I spent a fun hour at this, a favourite 'birding' location I've discovered.  Most times I come home with something worth sharing.  Thanks for your input.  It's most appreciated.  Best, LM.

Hi Len,

  Wonderful b/w image with excellent processing.  Take care, Patsy

Thanks for your thoughts.  Minimal processing was done in the Photoshop conversion to B&W.  In Channel Mixer I was using a formula I read about on this site for emulating Tri-X film (R-25, G-35, B-40)  Maybe a tad increase (5%) in contrast.  That's about all.  Best, LM.

Hi Len,

 The strong contrast and silhouette are what makes this work for me. The detail in the wings and overall composition are great, as always.

Best Regards,

Holger

Only time for a quick shot after this robin took to the air.  It was the fullness and shape of the wing that surprised me.  It's positioning is where luck factors in.  My reflexes just aren't that sharp. :-)  Thanks for your participation.  Best, LM.

Well Caught!

Thanks.  A bit of luck never hurts. :-)  Best, LM.

Well captured and good idea to make a silhouette out of it, presumably because of the underexposure!

Best regards, Len!

PDE

The camera was on Auto Exposure & when I followed the robin from where it was sitting against a mid toned background to where I captured it the brighter background caused the underexposure.  As it turned out that was a good thing.  As I say, luck is good! :-)  Best, LM.

Sorry it took me so long to answer,and visiting your files, but I 'm really lucky as my 5th exhibition , in last 6 months will be opened next week.( the same curators that saw ther real nice feedack I ihave recieved and are telling me that they will ask e to participate in coming shows, if the sabject will be compatible....)

So here I'm , the timing is perfeect,and the bird's wing is looking like posing for you , its beauty,s nature. The leafles FG as well as BG are leaving her the full space.

I'm genuinely pleased that things are going so well for you.  You may be pressed for time to spend on Photo.net but you are working with a real purpose.  Many would envy your position.  The position of the bird's wing was pure luck of course and was the deciding factor in my decision to post this frame.  The bright background caused the decrease in exposure time leaving a silhouette but at the same time provided a shorter shutter speed which helped freeze the wing and reveal some shapes and textures there.  Thanks for taking the time.  Best, LM.

Kind of reminds me of an oriental painting, and although you have already mentioned the position of the bird in the frame, I think a good solution / compromise would be to present it as a portrait orientated shot, simply crop the full length of the left side of the image. This would then go hand in hand with my "oriental" theme. All that being said, I still enjoyed viewing the image just as it was taken!

Nice work Len! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

Except for providing a more compete sense of the environment this bird is flying through, I must agree, losing the entire left side doesn't harm the image at all.  In fact, the bird now has been given a higher degree of prominence in the frame.  My initial reaction was to crop horizontally, matching  the bird's flight path. A vertical crop never even entered my mind.  However, both versions have appeal for me.  Gotta love this site for the diversity of ideas it provides from viewers such as yourself.  Keeps the grey matter churning.  Many thanks for your thoughtful & helpful critique.  Best, LM.