Into the Mist

Gallery: AvianPosted June 16, 2011146 views16 comments

I suppose many of you who visit Bosque are used to scenes like this. However, I've never been there, and this was a different type of setting than I'm used to seeing in Yellowstone.

As I drove south one morning, I ran into some thick haze near Norris Geyser Basin and started hoping there might be a similar layer of fog down in Hayden Valley. I was in luck, but the fog was so thick that any hope of a dramatic golden sunrise was dashed. Thankfully, some sandhill cranes were grouped near the road, waking up and preening as things slowly started to clear up. I watched and shot them for at least a half hour before they finally started moving. At last they took to the air, flying over the Yellowstone River (thus the reflection) and disappearing into the gray murk.

Not any color or much contrast to speak of, but it was a new park experience, so I was pleased.

Canon 7D
Canon 500mm f/4 IS
ISO 200
1/4000th
f/8
(The white marks are where a little bit of sunlight is reflecting off an eddy in the water.)

Max

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on June 17, 2011 at 12:00 AM

Really, really, nice. One of the rare avian images that create a definite mood. This is dreamy, and the reflection adds so much. thanks for sharing

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on June 17, 2011 at 1:20 AM

Excellent, Max. I like the mood you've created very much. If it were mine, I'd be tempted to give the birds a little more room on the left to fly into, even at the risk of a squarish frame.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on June 17, 2011 at 6:35 AM

There's a certain ethereal beauty to this image, I like it a lot Max :^)

I think this could look even better by adding canvas and presenting it in landscape.

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on June 17, 2011 at 7:31 AM

I really like this image. Good job on getting it. Thanks for sharing it and the story behind the photo.

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on June 17, 2011 at 9:37 AM

This is quite beautiful IMO. I love the mood created by the monochromatic light. The only nit I have (minor) is the white spots here and there - I think I would clone them.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on June 17, 2011 at 10:05 AM

Congrats on a very nice photo Max!
The mood this sets is a rare one. The reflections add a nice touch to the image.
I'll agree with the others with adding canvas to the left side for just a little more spce in front, and cloning out the pesky spots.
Aside from those minor nits, a wonderful image I'd love to have myself!!

Registered on October 19, 2006, 306 Posts, 1571 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on June 17, 2011 at 10:46 AM

Thanks everyone. If I were a "cloner" the white spots would definitely be gone.

As far as the crop choice, I knew this wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea. There are a few shots in the sequence where I could have gone either way. In this case I chose to focus on the vertical because the reflection is so strong. I don't think a chunk of dark smudge in the water would have helped an otherwise clean horizontal canvas (to me it would have been distracting and would have thrown off the balance), so I decided to focus on the shapes staggered vertically in this composition.

There are definitely other images from the sequences that are more appropriate for a horizontal canvas. Perhaps I'll post a couple down the road.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Cam Held on June 17, 2011 at 11:18 AM

Very nice shot! I absolutely love the reflection! Although I can see why some would prefer a horizontal crop, I do like the vertical crop as I think it really shows off the reflection. Nice work!

-Cam

Registered on November 12, 2009, 59 Posts, 398 Comments

Comment posted by Darren Colello on June 17, 2011 at 12:01 PM

Wow, very lovely scene. Your composition is unique and marvelous. Love it!!!

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

Comment posted by Keith A Anderson on June 17, 2011 at 12:21 PM

A great capture that once again shows that good things come to those who wait. Love the mood and the graffic simplicity of the image.

Registered on February 13, 2006, 166 Posts, 1818 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on June 17, 2011 at 3:18 PM

Cool, totally cool. Love the reflection.
May

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on June 17, 2011 at 3:49 PM

Really nice image Max, you caught them in perfect wing positions and I like the foggy mood.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 17, 2011 at 4:40 PM

Gorgeous image, Max. The composition is wonderful.

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on June 17, 2011 at 6:22 PM

I like the mood of this image, Max. I think I'd like a little more room on the left, though.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on June 18, 2011 at 5:32 PM

Nice foggy setting Max. I like the comp too for this shot. Most of the time I like more room in front of flying birds, but this works for me for some reason.

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

Comment posted by Dan Walters on June 19, 2011 at 4:10 PM

Love the fog and the position of the birds. Very dramatic and surreal image.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments