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Western Sandpipers
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Western Sandpipers

by Jim DeWitt

Gallery: AvianPosted May 7, 2012193 views6 comments
Olympus E-5, 300mm x 2.0TC, tripod
f18, 1/640, ISO800

The result of a lot of experimentation. It's hard or impossible to capture a large flock and get real detail in individual birds. This is a compromise that is maybe okay. I have a number of shots showing a whole flock, but that costs the detail in individual birds. Your thoughts?

Full frame. Adjustments to levels. Usual sharpening drill.

C & C, please. Thanks for looking.

Comments

6 comments
Comment posted by Keith Bauer on May 7, 2012 at 1:46 PM
Jim: Yes, this shots are a real challenge. I think successful ones have at least one or two birds that are tack sharp and create a center of interest. I think you have that in this image, and the sharpest are in nice places in the overall composition. Never quite know what to do with the ones at the edges...
Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments
Comment posted by Keith A Anderson on May 7, 2012 at 4:16 PM
While a challenge, I really like this type of image and agree with Keith, having one or a few birds in sharp focus and complementary positions within the otherwise blurred flock are what separate the good from the not so good. I think this is a marvelous image, Jim, and really gives the viewer a feeling of the frenetic motion and sounds that you experienced as you made this image. :toast:
Registered on February 13, 2006, 166 Posts, 1818 Comments
Comment posted by Charles Gangas on May 7, 2012 at 4:29 PM
You have sharp focus on several birds in the comp and the image nicely conveys the action of the flock. Well seen and captured Jim.
Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on May 7, 2012 at 5:59 PM
A nice comp. Always tough with so many birds. I agree, you have enough sharp birds in good locations to make this work nicely.
Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments
Comment posted by Angela McCain on May 7, 2012 at 10:22 PM
I think its a truly superior image. Very nice choice for managing the action.
Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments
Comment posted by Barbara Graham on May 9, 2012 at 12:15 AM
To me the number of birds you have sharp is really nice and satisfying. The colors are beautiful.
Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments