Blackbirds in Motion

Gallery: AvianPosted January 9, 2012189 views15 comments

Another photo from my recent photo trip. One afternoon while waiting for ducks to fly by, a large flock of black birds invaded the nearby grain field and began feeding, as time went on the flock grew and grew as more birds joined in. I was fairly certain I had several keepers of the flock in flight shot at faster shutter speeds, so I decided to try something creative by using a slow shutter speed. I was pleasantly suprised to end up several images I liked, including this one.

All your comments and suggestions are very much appreciated

Canon MkIV, 600mm, 1/30, f13, ISO 100, manual spot meter

Ken Archer

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 9, 2012 at 5:23 PM

I like this a lot Ken. The BG really works well with all those blurred birds in front. I also like the splashes of red here and there. Neat shot.

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

Comment posted by Ralph Kerr on January 9, 2012 at 6:04 PM

Very creative, Ken. IMO, the splashes of red make this picture

Registered on January 30, 2007, 369 Posts, 852 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on January 9, 2012 at 6:28 PM

This is totally cool Ken.
May

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 9, 2012 at 6:54 PM

Ken - I like this a lot. Perfectly blurred to add interst yet not lose enough definition to tell what it is.
Good work!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on January 9, 2012 at 8:20 PM

I almost didn't open this as I tend not to be a fan of these types of shots but once I looked at the larger version I was kind of mesmerized. Might have to broaden my horizons a little. Interesting image.

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

Comment posted by John Blumenkamp on January 9, 2012 at 11:29 PM

Mmm... what a rich and artistic avian image Ken. Beautifully done!

Registered on February 26, 2011, 58 Posts, 313 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on January 10, 2012 at 4:58 AM

Very nice abstract Ken, well seen.

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

Comment posted by Neal Cooper on January 10, 2012 at 8:37 AM

A very nice creative shot Ken. I tried similar shots in December and am yet to have a keeper. I like this a lot. The flecks of red draw the eye. Awesome shot!.

Registered on June 3, 2009, 144 Posts, 306 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on January 10, 2012 at 11:13 AM

This shot doesn't translate so well in the thumbnail but the bigger the size the better it works. It looks really nice in the larger sizes and I too think that the splashes of red look good in amongst all the black. IMO you have pretty much the optimal combo of sharpness and blurring on this shot for the best overall effect. Very nice!

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on January 10, 2012 at 1:40 PM

This looks terrific Ken, the larger version is amazing. Your creativity has certainly paid off.

Gary.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on January 11, 2012 at 1:04 AM

Cool! My theory is that a flock of birds is an organism, too, not just a flock of organisms. And very difficult to photograph well. You've captured the controlled chaos of blackbirds in flight very well.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 11, 2012 at 11:54 AM

Wonderful shot, you really have to view this large to appreciate it, the dash of reds in the wings really add to the abstract quality, well done.

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

Comment posted by Roman Kurywczak on January 11, 2012 at 2:16 PM

Like some of the others.....these type of images don't usually appeal to me but I think the location of the reds is helping the comp as is the seperation....very nicely done!

Registered on November 20, 2009, 56 Posts, 748 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on January 14, 2012 at 9:16 PM

Super blur shot Ken, love the bits of reds among the blacks

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 15, 2012 at 7:48 AM

Great interest and sense of motion, like that BG shift of color from light to brown as well.
As Ron said, "the splashes of red here & there" work very well for this one

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