Gulls

Thanks for viewing & commenting

I'm torn about this image, because I really like nature shots (and birds! I have hundreds of bird photos of my own that I will upload as my quota gets higher), I really like b/w, and in some cases (like this one), I really like subtle vignetting. Yet I'm not 100% a fan here, because the subjects suffer from two things that make them blend into the background: 1) they have the same value range as the water, and 2) they're oriented so their shadow lines are mostly parallel to the water - the wings, particularly the center three birds, are the only that make them really legible at all. Much as I like black and white, I would be interested to see the same image in color and maybe with the water toned down a bit. That being said, great capture and nicely subtle use of vignetting.

Thanks Nick for your observations. I think you're right about the technicalities.

Now, all that being said, I must say that from my own rather screwy perspective, I respectfully disagree with the above observations.

If I were to look at this as a faithful study of birds, simply a nature picture, then I think the criticism would be valid. But for me this is a kind of dream, the after-image of a scene that seemingly exists only as a distant memory. The choice of black and white, the intentional vignetting, the short focus, the semi-abstract treatment of the gulls and their strange, almost magical reflection on the surface of the water create more a psychological impression of birds in flight than a true to life portrait. I find this a very powerful picture.

Thanks Jack for your observations. I agree with your comments on the non-technicalities...

I saw these birds flying low over a frozen pond (which explains their peculiar mirror images), not the place that you usually see them. I am rather pleased with the picture myself. Despite and for all the reasons stated...

there are photographs of nature a la National Geographic, terrifically technical and sanitized and then we have artistic interpretations of nature. "Gulls" is a nature picture to be seen in the way we look at a Seurat or a Monet, any number of the works those guy's and others produced. If the viewer accepts the invitation he can then step into the magic carpet and take flight in a dream.

Thanks Carlos for your kind observations!