Common Birds - Working on technique/attitude

[Canon_Bob]

Hey all,

I've been spending a lot of time with some pretty amazing photographers lately, and have definitely been picking up some pointers. One thing I've noticed hanging around these people is their attitude toward photography. I don't remember which one said this to me, but it stuck and I'm trying to work with it: "Any photographer can make a great photograph of an extraordinary subject, but a great photographer can make an extraordinary photograph of an ordinary subject". I was with a guy this weekend who literally photographed every single bird we came in contact with. He lives here in Florida, and has photographed these birds a million times, but gave each one the care and concentration as if it were the rarest thing in the world! I know he could sense my impatience as I wanted to move along and look for the subjects we were there after, but he just looked at me and said "these are here, and the light is great.....you never know when you're going to get "the one"". That said, I settled in and started shooting the ordinary. Here are some of many from today, of birds that I've photographed hundreds of times. I don't think any of them approach "extraordinary", but spending a couple days with this guy gave me a different perspective and an appreciation for the "ordinary".

[scott-devon]

Interesting thought, I know I'm guilty of ignoring chickadees and sparrows etc as I rush along hoping for something less common. That first shot of the pelican is very nicely composed, the line of the beak draws your eye down to the drop of water perfectly.

[BFiredup]

I agree, there is something about the first one..following it down to see the droplet of water.....

[AgingEyes]

But your common birds are not really that common.

Guess it depends on where you reside

[Canon_Bob]

Thanks guys. I'll try not to take so much for granted :-)

[mn shutterbug]

That is food for thought. If you could have included the whole reflection in the heron shot, it would have made a heck of a vertical panorma, if there is such a thing. Sharp shots as usual.

[paulnj]

The first one is the stringest image of the bunch.

I assure you, I have seen 50,000 song sparrows, but I have never walked by a well lit one