Swan

[Overbeyond]

This is one from our outing last week in Kew Gardens and as usual I look forward to hearing your comments.

[gahspidy]

I feel this is excellent, not only in technical execution but creatively as well. You took what would normally be a frustrating pose of a subject for a nature/wildlife photographer and brought out an abstract like vision of fine art.
Bravo, Tom

[Xia_Ke]

...an abstract like vision of fine art...

This sums it up perfectly!

I LOVE this shot. Perfectly composed and exposed. Good job capturing the texture in the feathers as well. A really beautiful shot :thumbsup:

Aaron

[SmartWombat]

Your time on that bird was justified.
Good grey light from the big rainy-sky softbox could have left this looking dull.
You've brought out great feather detail.
Did you post process this to get any detail out of the shadows?
If not then that Pentax is doing very nicely with those ripples and the reflection on the left.

[DrRoebuck]

That's a beautiful picture.

[dana m.]

I made my comment out in the public forum...I kinda like hanging out there with the common folk (since I lack all technical skills)

[gahspidy]

I made my comment out in the public forum...I kinda like hanging out there with the common folk (since I lack all technical skills)

Dana, no technical skills needed to make a critique of a photo. I always have found your comments very refreshing and insightful. You have an uncanny way of seeing very deep into a scene and subject and I always am interested in what you think. I hope you hang around this forum more often and comment on what it is you like or dislike about a members work. I would also like to see you post some of your work here for comment as well.

[dana m.]

You know why else I would stink in here....I only want to make positive comments...I refuse to say anything negative. Reason # 2 why I don't belong in here!!! Yes, mostly kidding...but sorta not. dana

[jkriminger]

It looks very nice ...crisp. ..but without the descriptions I wouldn't know what it was.

[AgingEyes]

First thing that came to my mind is: "What did you do to the swan? :-)

It's an unusual photo of a swan all right. But I'd hesitate to call it a beautiful swan photo simply because the swan is not at its best in this photo. Technique-wise it's good. But it looks to me like somebody folded up the swan. It reminds me of some roasted ducks I saw in some Chinese grocery stores. Perhaps I would think otherwise if the background is not entirely black and actually showing some water.

[SmartWombat]

The background is not entirely black, and it does show some water.
At least on my calibrated monitor, in an artificially lit room, it does.

[AgingEyes]

The background is not entirely black, and it does show some water.
At least on my calibrated monitor, in an artificially lit room, it does.

I took a second look at it. You're right that it is not entirely black. It does show a hint of something in the background from what I can see. On my calibrated monitor it is still very dark. Perhaps it's the light colors of the swan that makes the background looks even darker than it was. Then of course the water could be actually that dark in the actual scene. And I can definitely see the water after I brightened it up a bit and actually see the shadow of the swan on the water. But then it would become a different image to what Grumpy Old Man had in mind I think.

[Greg McCary]

Nice shot Tom. I can add nothing to make it any better. I think Gary said it all. And yes Dana jump right in. I value opinions from all......Good and Bad...

[PrevailingConditions]

Tom,

I believe that everyone else has already expressed the technical points, but I wanted to add my comment on the wonderful quality of this shot. Very well done - you should be proud.


Dana - as others have said before, you may have limited experience photographically but you have a lifetime of experience seeing things. Some have more photographic experience, some have less. The only way to get more experience is to take more pictures and learn through the great feedback offered in these forums. Jump in, the water's nice.


PC

[readingr]

Tom,

I was wondering when you'd post a swan - excellent capture and a wonderful pose - Gary said all I wanted to.

Is this the point where I tell everyone it was ready for you to take home for sunday lunch :lol:

Roger

[Overbeyond]

Thanks so much to you all for such a great lot of replies.
Straight from the camera the swan looked a bit flat as indeed did the water. All my swan shots (thankfully) came out a bit under exposed (as opposed to over exposure and the problems that come with that)) which meant that with a levels and contrast adjustment I was able to arrive at a consistancy that neither burned the feathers or blackened the water too much.
Roger steady now!
JKRiminger have you been on the bottle

[MB1]

Not much to critique about this one.

It'll sell.

[Overbeyond]

Are you sure not even a little crop?
Thanks very much MB. I'm delighted you like the old swan. Very much appreciated.