Chukar

Gallery: AvianPosted August 24, 2010220 views23 comments

I've wondered about this photo for 15 months now so finally had to post it to see what you think. It's a different kind of image for me, a large crop and the light was a little eerie but there's something about the overall effect that appeals to me.

These Antelope Island Chukars are fully wild birds that have flourished out there for generations. The background is far off mud flats of the shore of the Great Salt Lake interspersed with patches of greenery where fresh water springs enter the lake.

40D, 1/320, f/11, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window on 5/31/09, cropped to 43% of original image, sharpened, no further processing or adjustments, natural low light

Larger image provided

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

23 comments

Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on August 24, 2010 at 6:17 PM

Looks just fine to me Ron, it's a beautiful looking bird.
Well done

Geoff.

Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Webster on August 24, 2010 at 6:49 PM

He was posing for you, Ron.

I like the head turn. Compositionally I think the bird is a little too centered for my tastes. I do like the lighting effect. The soft lighting brings out a lot of detail.

Best regards as always.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 73 Posts, 644 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on August 24, 2010 at 7:08 PM

" Compositionally I think the bird is a little too centered for my tastes."

You're probably right Tom. I have a tendency to do exactly that in these "looking back" types of shots. In this case I was trying to preserve some of the greens in the background at left and at the same time attempting to minimize my crop. But in retrospect I do think you're correct.

A big welcome back to NPN Tom. Many of us have missed you for a good long time!

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

Comment posted by Neil Rossmiller on August 24, 2010 at 7:28 PM

Hi Ron,
Compositionally, I too think it's a bit centered. Cropping to the top of the oof green splotch in the upper lc by scrolling it up on my monitor helped the balance for me. Not as sharp as I've come to expect of your images, but your explanation of the tight crop makes sense. I do wish there were more of the toe showing.
Cool image, none the less.
Neil

Registered on October 30, 2009, 156 Posts, 749 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on August 24, 2010 at 8:23 PM

A lovely ephemeral image IMO - almost a mystical look to this. I love the light, the setting, and the bird. I don't think the center position is a big issue.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on August 24, 2010 at 10:23 PM

Not sure what there is to wonder about... well ok, it is a little centered... and the grass sticking "out" of the bird are distracting... but chukars aren't frequently photographed subjects and you captured it wonderfully here. It is not your best, by any stretch, but it is a respectable image that many of us would be happy to have. If you really want to do something with this photo - I suggest cloning (gasp) the grass out from the body and adding canvas (double gasp) to right side.

- Luke

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on August 24, 2010 at 10:40 PM

This is a rather tranquil scene compared to some raptor ripping the head off a field mouse-a more typical subject for you.

But I like it and the BG fits the bird well.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 24, 2010 at 11:35 PM

Nice, Ron. I like the pose. If you hadn't stated when this was made, I would have thought it was a winter image-it has that tonal quality. The minimal contrast and simple palette work for me. I like the grass sticking out of the back.

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

Comment posted by Richard Teller on August 25, 2010 at 7:47 AM

When I open the gallery the first thing I do is see if there are any images that really catch my eye, this one did. I would love to have this image. The centering issue is not a big one for me.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on August 25, 2010 at 8:08 AM

I really like it Ron - I think its the light. The bird really jumps out at you

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on August 25, 2010 at 8:42 AM

That is a great capture of a beautiful looking bird!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on August 25, 2010 at 8:57 AM

Beautiful shot Ron, I like it very much.
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Darren Colello on August 25, 2010 at 12:11 PM

A beautiful clean palette. Gorgeous work here Ron, another stunner!

Registered on July 27, 2009, 175 Posts, 1100 Comments

Comment posted by Axel Hildebrandt on August 25, 2010 at 12:40 PM

Very nice angle, light, pose and setting. I guess you could crop a tad off the right.

Registered on October 16, 2006, 66 Posts, 441 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on August 25, 2010 at 1:21 PM

This looks really good to me Ron. I like the color scheme created by the light, FG, and BG elements. To me the bird is not too centered. The bird is def shifted to the right and looks good for the amount it is looking back IMO. I really like the tuffs of grass coming up by the bird's tail as they add interest. I also like the amount of rock you chose to show at the bottom. It anchors the image perfectly. Well done.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Ronnie Gaubert on August 25, 2010 at 2:49 PM

Hi Ron,
It looks just fine as posted above. Nice clean background and good light. Personally don't like that plant sticking out from his back. I do find some degradation in image quality with the large image, I guess you can only push a large crop and high ISO so much.

Ronnie G.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 810 Posts, 3495 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on August 25, 2010 at 5:33 PM

The harmonious colors make this image.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Butch Lama on August 25, 2010 at 7:33 PM

Postcard material, very soothing BG & overall fantastic shot.

Registered on July 23, 2010, 42 Posts, 316 Comments

Comment posted by David Williams on August 25, 2010 at 11:00 PM

It does have a different feel to it, Ron......but it works just fine for me. We had quite a few of these guys just north of town for awhile, but I haven't seen them in over a year.

Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on August 26, 2010 at 1:45 AM

Hi Ron. The pattern on the wing tends to give the impression of softness, if I stare at it long enough...

Probably just what mother nature intended it to do to blend in. I'm really impressed at the incredible setting, unusual color palate. Unique and beautiful photo.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Satie Sharma on August 26, 2010 at 4:05 AM

Sweet shot of this great looking bird, Ron. We have them here high in the Himalaya and trans-Himalaya.

Registered on November 11, 2003, 189 Posts, 5335 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on August 26, 2010 at 5:33 PM

I do not mind the center look and actually everything about this image is fine to me, I just wish there was a tad bit more light to bring out some of those nice colors. These are really interesting birds.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on August 26, 2010 at 11:25 PM

The paste colour palette works really well here Ron. Nice pose and head-turn too.

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