Cactus Wren

Gallery: AvianPosted September 3, 2010215 views28 comments

Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)

Place: backyard, Phoenix, AZ
Date: December 1, 2008
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8, TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: ISO 500, Aperture priority matrix metered, 1/6th @ f/5.6
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac G4, moderate crop

Here's something a bit different from me, taken from my unposted backlog.

I was playing with the camera on the patio in rather low light when one of the backyard Cactus Wrens showed up. Since I shoot in aperture priority mode (I set the lens aperture and the camera meter sets the shutter speed) I sometimes don't even notice how slow I'm shooting. The lens was wide open but even with the ISO set to 500 I could only achieve 1/6th second for a shutter speed.

When the shutter fired I could hear how slow it was and assumed I'd just toss out the image, but I was surprised by how interesting this blurred result came out.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. 1200px version provided as usual for critcal viewing.

Comments

28 comments

Comment posted by Buck Ward on September 3, 2010 at 9:28 PM

I like it! I've had similar results a couple of times, but they were more novelty looking than this is.

Registered on December 8, 2003, 96 Posts, 1917 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on September 3, 2010 at 10:24 PM

A bizarre choice, but quite interesting at the same time. Reminds me of some animation you'd see on Animal Planet in the opening credits.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on September 3, 2010 at 10:38 PM

Thanks for sharing, a very unique image.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Hali Sowle on September 3, 2010 at 10:42 PM

I really like this Richard, the way there is nice definition despite the blur, the ghosting effect really makes it interesting and unique.

Registered on January 9, 2008, 36 Posts, 582 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on September 3, 2010 at 11:01 PM

Very interesting. I really like the results your "mistake" made. We should all have this problem.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on September 3, 2010 at 11:23 PM

Neat, Rich. I like this. You can tell how sharp the focus was in both positions and the fact that he ended up giving you both a perfect frontal view and a perfect side view helps make this image for me.

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

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on September 3, 2010 at 11:27 PM

Heehee, when I first joined this group, I was getting a lot of pics like this with the ghosting effect. I knew nothing about shutter speed, and aperture was a scarey word! You all have taught me an awful lot, and I'm still learning! The effect on this one is interesting, giving both views! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on September 4, 2010 at 6:26 AM

Rich

I knew from the thumbnail that this was going to be an interesting image and it is. I love that this shows both a side and head on view of this wren. The eyes are sharp on both views and that is despite the slow shutter speed!

I rather enjoy seeing this "in camera" blurred effect and find it appealing.

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

Comment posted by Peter Conway on September 4, 2010 at 8:14 AM

Hi Richard,

I admit to some surprise when I saw your name under the thumbnail.

"a bit different from me" is an understatement.

I am not sure about it. I like that there is a catchlight in both positions and I think that is what make it work.

Peter

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

Comment posted by Joel DeYoung on September 4, 2010 at 8:35 AM

Interesting indeed, and an image I'm not sure about. If it were mine, I'm sure it would have never made it to the computer for editing. Although I'm glad this one did as I find the "dual" view of the bird interesting. The head on look draws you in, and the side view teases me to find out more.
I also find it neat that this image shows how fast birds can move. This bird went from one position to the other in less than 1/6th of a second.

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

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on September 4, 2010 at 8:36 AM

It's certainly a departure from your normal fare, but it has merit, too.
I'm amazed that the slow shutter speed didn't blur the image beyond recognition, but that it actually produced two distinct views. Interesting.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on September 4, 2010 at 9:01 AM

Quite a unique image Rich. What strikes me is the 90 degree directional offset of the pose(s) and the sharpness in each. Very neat shot.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on September 4, 2010 at 11:14 AM

Really interesting and unique image Rich! I like it for the same reasons others do.

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

Comment posted by Axel Hildebrandt on September 4, 2010 at 12:02 PM

Interesting idea and well executed.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on September 4, 2010 at 12:09 PM

The fact that you got a perfect straight on view and then a perfect side view is what makes this work for me too. That in combination with the fact that both stopping points are also sharp. Nice refreshingly different image.

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

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on September 4, 2010 at 12:38 PM

Really interesting and different, Richard. I like the blur between the profile and square-on view of the bird. I assume the square on look was the second part of the 1/6th exposure (?)

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Cunliffe on September 4, 2010 at 1:46 PM

This makes you a bird photography iconoclast! A very cool experiment, and one worth repeating!

Registered on May 25, 2009, 62 Posts, 202 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on September 4, 2010 at 2:09 PM

I assume the square on look was the second part of the 1/6th exposure (?)

- Bill Leggett

I don't recall but assume the same. I would have tried for the head profile given such a close opportunity; the sound of the shutter probably made the wren look at the camera.

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

Comment posted by Andrew Bicos on September 4, 2010 at 2:25 PM

Very cool image. You don't see many of these kinds of interesting photos posted - it is good to see something unexpected now and then. Thanks for sharing this.

Registered on August 27, 2010, 3 Posts, 15 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on September 4, 2010 at 3:57 PM

what an interesting and unusual shot, Rich. I agree that the two head angles are just right. can't say I've ever seen an image with three catchlights on the same bird (and no reflection).

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on September 4, 2010 at 6:53 PM

Neat shot Richard..Sometimes when you least expect it, cool stuff happens

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Webster on September 4, 2010 at 7:35 PM

Cool image, Rich. You have managed to make a still image out of video!

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

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on September 4, 2010 at 7:51 PM

Your double take works well Richard.

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

Comment posted by Monica Siri on September 5, 2010 at 8:30 AM

Richard,
I like this double portrait, especially the catchlight in both the views.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on September 5, 2010 at 12:38 PM

Neat!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on September 5, 2010 at 2:46 PM

Very attractive and unusual image, Rich. I keep thinking "ghostly" as I examine it.

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

Comment posted by David Haynes on September 5, 2010 at 8:32 PM

This is truely very interesting to me. Please tell me this was on a tripod?? Even at 1/6 of a second it is very sharp. I personally love the effect. Gives a whole new meaning to the head turn angle. I think you got it covered Rich. Love it a lot. In fact I may even try this myself I like it so much. Thanks for stepping out of the box and sharing Rich.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on September 5, 2010 at 9:44 PM

Please tell me this was on a tripod??

- David Haynes

Yes: Gitzo 1325, Rally Right Stuff BH-55 ball head, Whimberly Sidekick.

I did not expect this very slow shutter speed and would not have taken the shot if I'd looked closely at the indicated SS in the viewfinder. but I have managed reasonably sharp shots of birds at 1/20th second as with this Phainopepla.

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