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Whooper Swan Portrait
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Whooper Swan Portrait

by Ian Mason

Gallery: AvianPosted January 8, 2010131 views18 comments
1D2n, 600mm f4 is, 1/2000s, f4, iso 200.

I drove to a city loch I had previously researched on the coldest morning I can recall in the UK, in the knowledge that many of the birds would congregate at any part of the loch that was not frozen and near a regular feeding area. I was surprised and have to say somewhat concerned to see a few of these beautiful swans mixing very socially with every other species - I thought they had remained truly "wild". Maybe the extreme conditions (-10C) have forced them to adapt. There were so many birds, that it was going to be difficult to isolate anything, but, thankfully this one decided to look straight up at me while the others looked down.I used a translucent cloning brush on a small area in the bottom right corner where a bit of bluish ice distracted a little.

Comments

18 comments
Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 8, 2010 at 4:31 PM
This is gorgeous Ian. Not a thing I would change.
Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Saunders on January 8, 2010 at 5:17 PM
Absolutely beautiful Ian. The mist around the head, the details on the face and crown. Awesome :toast:
Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments
Comment posted by Ron McCombe on January 8, 2010 at 6:00 PM
Hey Ian

another great image I love the close up detail on he swan, you must have got very close to this oe

Ron
Registered on November 16, 2009, 190 Posts, 207 Comments
Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on January 8, 2010 at 7:36 PM
Its beautiful and I love the softness around the bird
Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 8, 2010 at 7:39 PM
Beautiful detail and color, Ian. Seeing a swan's head in clouds is a bit strange to me. Must be the weather causing some fog I guess? Anyway, it certainly is a fine image. :toast:
Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 8, 2010 at 7:45 PM
Beautiful, Ian. I like the fading out of the image around the head, and the detail is wonderful. :toast:
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 8, 2010 at 8:50 PM
I'm really loving the OOF white areas and the lighting and colors are simply gorgeous.

- Luke
Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments
Comment posted by Ed Dubois on January 9, 2010 at 1:33 AM
A very engaging portrait Ian. The colours are excellent.
Registered on February 22, 2005, 129 Posts, 4739 Comments
Comment posted by Jeff Harrison on January 9, 2010 at 3:19 AM
Simply beautiful Ian :toast: :toast:
Registered on September 20, 2009, 9 Posts, 73 Comments
Comment posted by Loulou Beavers on January 9, 2010 at 3:24 AM
Very nice soft looking image. Great to see a sparkle in its eye.
Registered on June 21, 2008, 73 Posts, 205 Comments
Comment posted by Ian Mason on January 9, 2010 at 3:48 AM
Thanks for all the comments

Steve

Seeing a swan's head in clouds is a bit strange to me.


The soft white surroundings area actually created by other out of focus swans. It was a very crisp day without mist or cloud. You can just about make out the shape of another head in the foreground.

Ian
Registered on December 14, 2005, 399 Posts, 2305 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 9, 2010 at 7:05 AM
Super comp Ian. I love the feel of this and the detail. Very creative. Very well done.
Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments
Comment posted by Srinivasan Periath on January 9, 2010 at 11:19 AM
Fantastic. The mood this create is awesome.
Registered on January 6, 2010, 12 Posts, 21 Comments
Comment posted by Sam Rua on January 9, 2010 at 2:11 PM
The smaller image doesn't do this justice, Ian. The larger image is gorgeous. Very nice work. :toast:
Registered on September 9, 2006, 130 Posts, 2281 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 9, 2010 at 5:43 PM
Thank you for the info, Ian. I never would have guessed that! :smile:
Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Dudley on January 10, 2010 at 8:44 AM
Just gorgeous Ian. Not a nit to be found from my end.
Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments
Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on January 11, 2010 at 12:11 AM
Very nice, Ian. I like the lighting and the detail. :toast: :toast:
Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Wilson on January 12, 2010 at 4:15 PM
Works very well for me Ian, love the mood in it.
Registered on May 17, 2006, 70 Posts, 1166 Comments