Three Cygnets

Gallery: AvianPosted July 18, 2010192 views22 comments

1D2n, 600m f4, 1/320s, f4, iso 200. Setting sun.

I had been trying some shots using selective focus to highlight individual birds. On this occasion, the light was superb and the water flat calm.

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by Joel DeYoung on July 18, 2010 at 9:04 AM

"...the light was superb....." - I agree, the light looks fabulous. I think how you highlighted this one bird through selective focus works well. And I really like the nice low angle. It maybe just my eyes, but it looks like this could use a little CW rotation, just a touch.

Well done.

Registered on July 12, 2009, 92 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on July 18, 2010 at 9:41 AM

Very nice image. The selective focus certainly highlights the center bird. I'm undecided if I'd like to see all three in focus. I too think the image needs a bit of CW rotation.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Mason on July 18, 2010 at 9:56 AM

Many thanks. I had wondered about the rotation and had used the reflections as an indicator. However I find it difficult to find a good reference line - the water line isn't necessarily "level". I agree it looks better now though.

Registered on December 14, 2005, 399 Posts, 2305 Comments

Comment posted by David E Lester on July 18, 2010 at 10:28 AM

Great shot, both images worked for me!!!

Registered on March 24, 2010, 155 Posts, 793 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Conway on July 18, 2010 at 10:32 AM

Ian, This is really wonderful. I think just highlighting the center bird with selective focus would not work for me but the lighting brings it all together. It looks like it is swimming into the light, plus of course the perfect head turn to put the sidelight onto the face, is awesome.

Beautiful work from your magic pond.

Peter

Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on July 18, 2010 at 11:15 AM

Lovely image. The warmth and darkness. I'm sorry but I think it still needs some more CW rotation.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on July 18, 2010 at 11:23 AM

A beautiful image, Ian. Despite the fact that the lighting is outstanding here I'd be tempted to try darkening the swans on each side a bit to give the center, in-focus, bird even more emphasis. There is a slight difference in light intensity now. Just a smidgen more may help.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Hyman on July 18, 2010 at 11:36 AM

Straightening helps a bit, Ian. Tough shot to find a reference point. I would also add just a bit of dark canvas to the top of the image. My two cents

Regards,

Carol

Registered on January 18, 2007, 597 Posts, 8062 Comments

Comment posted by Darren McKenna on July 18, 2010 at 3:03 PM

Beautiful image, very moody. May have stopped down to try and get the others in focus.

darrenmckenna.com

Registered on October 28, 2008, 31 Posts, 214 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Nichols on July 18, 2010 at 3:17 PM

Ian, your selective focus on the center bird here works great to me, especially since the center bird also has more light on him/her which adds to the selectiveness.

Registered on November 7, 2007, 161 Posts, 1420 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on July 18, 2010 at 4:23 PM

The repost is an improvement. It's a really interesting image,

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on July 18, 2010 at 5:16 PM

I like the repost too. Beautiful image Ian!!!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on July 18, 2010 at 5:38 PM

I think the image works well, especially the warm light on the middle bird.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on July 18, 2010 at 8:12 PM

I like the repost much better Ian. I think the rotation made a big positive difference. The head turn with the in-focus center bird pulls this all together for me. Wonderful light.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on July 18, 2010 at 8:33 PM

Ian:
No need for a signature on this image. The selective lighting combined with selective focus produced a dramatic image ... and only the bird in the center has a significant bow wave ... and the dark BG and foreground are also so very nice.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Bryan Hix on July 18, 2010 at 8:46 PM

Ian, good to see you back posting and also good to see the cygnets again with you signature low angle. Love all of it. Is this on your usual pond or elsewhere?

Registered on June 13, 2008, 117 Posts, 755 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on July 18, 2010 at 9:28 PM

Love it Ian.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Ward on July 18, 2010 at 9:36 PM

Ian,

The repost is a classic.... well done!

Registered on February 26, 2009, 304 Posts, 1365 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 19, 2010 at 10:31 AM

Beautiful, Ian. An excellent image. I like your use of focus here.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on July 19, 2010 at 9:10 PM

The repost is excellent Ian!

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on July 20, 2010 at 3:29 AM

The combination of lighting and low perspective works well for me Ian.

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Mason on July 20, 2010 at 4:51 AM

Thanks for all the comments

Bryan

Is this on your usual pond or elsewhere?

Yes, one from the usual pond last year that I hadn't processed. I keep hoping for new species!

Registered on December 14, 2005, 399 Posts, 2305 Comments