Sandpipers (abstract)

Gallery: AvianPosted January 8, 2013144 views7 comments

I took this over Thanksgiving in one of the Bay Area harbors. These western sandpipers were actively feeding in the mudflats even after sundown. I thought I would make a motion blur in the low light. I would like to know what you think.

I would have liked a lower angle, but the harbor being what it is does not allow one to get to the water level (unless one has a yacht).

1D3/1-400 @400mm on tripod, F7.1@2s, ISO250.

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on January 9, 2013 at 12:13 AM

I like this a lot Govind. The colors and distribution of birds is captivating. Interesting that not one Sandpiper has its head up.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 9, 2013 at 12:37 AM

I like the group shot but I wish it wasn't blurred. This is how I remember viewing sandpipers at Brigantine back in my NJ days - large groups that we'd sort out through our spotting scopes. I want to be able to go over this image and see how many species are included but the abstract blur makes that impossible for me.

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

Comment posted by Tjie Poo on January 9, 2013 at 12:45 AM

Wow ! This looks a lot like a painting. Monet and Van Gogh would be proud ! Your artistic mind pays off.

Registered on December 4, 2012, 51 Posts, 511 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 9, 2013 at 2:01 AM

I like the blur, but I'm with Rich - I'd also like to see a non-blurred image to see what all in here!

Sandy

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on January 9, 2013 at 9:39 AM

I have to be honest on this Govind. While I like a lot of your work, this one isn't really speaking to me. I just can't seem to find any one point of focus for me (the viewer) and find myself lost in were to look. I also find the overall scene just too dark for my taste.Lastly....and maybe it's just my eyes, but it seems like it is in need of a small CCW rotation.
Personally I have a lot of trouble myself when I shoot these types of scenes of finding a comp I like. I think maybe a lower angle (know it couldn't be helped on this one because of your location) and focusing on a single bird to give a focal point with the others gradually being blurred out might have worked better, but that is just one guy's opinion.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 9, 2013 at 9:57 PM

Interesting abstract, Govind. It looks very impressionistic. I'm afraid I'm with those that would prefer a focal point somewhere.

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

Comment posted by John Tobias on January 12, 2013 at 3:14 PM

I think I understand what you were wanting to do, but does not work for me. I agree about the lack of a focus point. Maybe you should post this in Photo Art?

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