Greenshank

Gallery: AvianPosted July 31, 201161 views10 comments

Within the UKNP gallery, several photographers are not keen on reflections in photos. I think the main reason is that usually the bird itself ends up small in the frame as a result. Here is a greenshank with the reflection deliberately cut out. Do you think the photo would be better with the reflection left in but the bird smaller? Views for and against equally welcome.

If you would like a comparison, I have posted a green sandpiper (with reflection) taken during the same session in the UKNP gallery.

David

Nikon D300, 600mm Nikon, tripod mounted. 200 iso, 1/1600th @ f5.0

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on July 31, 2011 at 4:11 PM

H i David
I like this.
Its not the reflections I don't like its the way they inhibit the cropping or framing potential , and as you have pointed out- end up smaller in the frame.
Cheers
john

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on July 31, 2011 at 6:16 PM

I like this as presented, but I'd also like to see the uncropped version (which you could add at 720px in a follow up comment in this thread).

When I'm working the related Greater Yellowlegs here in the U.S. I spend as much time with the bird as it allows and hope to get full reflections and close compositions in the same session rather than employ cropping with the loss of quality that results.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on July 31, 2011 at 8:10 PM

I like this as presented David, the crop/comp seems fine to me. I especially like the jaunty looking tilt of the head the bird gave you. I agree with Rich that showing us the uncropped version of this sandpiper for comparison.

Also like Rich, if the bird sticks around long enough I will get shots with and without full reflections in the same session and then later find within them those that suit my tastes. I like frame filling shots but I also enjoy images where the birds are small in the frame.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 31, 2011 at 11:06 PM

I like this one as posted, David. Some reflection images work and others don't so I think it depends on the individual image.

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on July 31, 2011 at 11:48 PM

David, for me it depends on the reflection. if it's not a really solid clean reflection, I'm less likely to want to see the whole thing. I don't object to using reflections at all--but I often find that the subject + reflection are a little too tight in the frame for my tastes. I like the comp here just fine, and like the pose too.

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

Comment posted by David Sewell on August 1, 2011 at 5:29 AM

Thanks for the comments, folks. Just to clear things up, the photo with the reflection is a different, and rather smaller, species, the green sandpiper. The greenshank is a relatively large bird, and wouldn't go far enough away for me to get the reflection in (you'd be amazed how often I have that problem working with a 600mm). Of the two shots my personal preference is for the greenshank.

David

Registered on September 10, 2008, 63 Posts, 801 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on August 1, 2011 at 6:30 AM

David, I like the head and foot positions and IQ looks good. In general, others seem to appreciate reflections more than I do. If given the opportunity I usually try to get both types of shots of a cooperative subject but more often than not I prefer the closer look at the bird, sans apparition.

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

Comment posted by John Tobias on August 1, 2011 at 5:53 PM

David, I have looked at both photos and both are fine just as you posted them. IMHO each shows something different and are well done. Thanks for posting both.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on August 1, 2011 at 8:49 PM

I happen to like the bird larger in the frame, since I am new to birding it is interesting for me to see feather detail and other markings, so you first post looks good to me, shows nice detail on the larger version. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on August 1, 2011 at 9:27 PM

Really like this David - great pose and plenty of detail. I'm not a big fan of reflections.

cheers
Rob

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