He Started It!
by Ashley Vincent
Canon EOS 7D, EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + 1.4x Extender II @ 700mm, Aperture Priority @ f/8 (1/320 sec), ISO 400, Exposure Compensation: 2/3, Tripod, JPG from RAW
By way of an explanation of the title I chose for this image: The day I returned home with my first high-end zoom lens (Canon 100-400mm L IS), I was sitting in my office and a sound I hear everyday momentarily distracted my attention as per usual. It was the sound of a bird's high-pitched call … actually, my field guide to Birds of Thailand (by Craig Robson) describes the sound more accurately as, “tswi-tswirt-titititit” and “tswi-switswitswitswitswit” as well as, “tswi-tswi-tswi-tswi-tswi-tswi” among others I could mention, but I think you get the gist ;^)
Anyhow, never having seen what this bird actually looked like (back then I used to wear glasses and, in truth, though I'd always had a passion for animals in general, unless one was there right in front of my face, birds were far from my greatest interest), I decided to try out my new lens and see if I could find it. Once I finally picked it out in my viewfinder I could hardly believe my eyes! Something so tiny (11.5cm according to the guide!) and seemingly fragile, yet so elegant and exquisitely beautiful, and this jewel of Nature had been calling out from our neighbour's garden just outside my window for the past three years without me ever noticing anything other than it's sound, which at times could be so high and constant that it would have me screaming in my head, “SHUUUUUUT UUUP!!!” - LOL ;^)
Prior to this awakening, I'd only really been interested in photographing mainly large animals and, in particular, big cats. But as wild as Thailand is, we don't have too many of those wandering through our village ;^p so I'd resigned myself to the thought I'd only be able to really practice my photography on trips to the zoo or on an African-style safari … but in an instant all that changed; a new passion was born within me soon as I realised that this gorgeous Olive-Backed Sunbird (this is the male BTW) was far from the only highly attractive species of bird in my local vicinity and, of course stretching far beyond pretty much anywhere I chose to go … so, as the title to this post suggests: He Started It!!! :^)
There is a little more I'd like to add in reference to this particular image, but I don't wish to bore you to death with my words all in one post; I guess the sadist in me is thinking I've get more satisfaction in prolonging the experience for you over time – LOL ;^p
Seriously, feel free to skip any of the text I include with my posts in the knowledge that I'll completely understand, as all I'm really looking for is thoughts, suggestions and perhaps advice on how I might be able to improve the current image I'm showing you ;^)
Post Processing: Cropped about 25% from the original from the top and LHS to create a more pleasing composition to my eye. Reduced the background highlights while adding a little more selective lighting to the subject. Boosted the pink a little to bring out the colour more in the flower.
Thanks in advance for viewing and, if you had the patience to read all I wrote, thanks for that as well ;^)
Kind regards,
Ashley
Comments
6 commentsreally an interesting composition, I love that curving stem. I'm not sure how I feel about the flower--I feel like it is so bright that it sort of competes with the bird for attention, so I might consider reducing the saturation on those magentas. I'd also think about slightly darkening the bright brownish branches that run more or less vertically through the frame above and below the bird.
Thanks for sharing and Ya I did read all of your post
For me its the northern cardinal
cheers
Rob
Thanks for pointing out the paler brown branches in the background Brian, something I should have seen myself and worked on, and something I will definitely do before I make a print ;^)
As to the colour of the flower competing with the colours of the subject, this is something that also crossed my mind, however, in reality this type of flower is indeed as vivid as portrayed here especially when the sun is shining on it, hence the reason why I decided not to tone it down.
Thanks again for your feedback and observations, all of which help me appreciate alternative ways of looking at my own work :^)
All the best :^)
Ashley