Whooping Cranes & repost

Gallery: AvianPosted April 1, 2015144 views8 comments

Another from the cow pasture near Goose Island State Park. I'm not sure about how I framed this one. I was trying to get the cranes a bit more off center, so I moved them down and added some sky at the top, but I'm not sure it worked. I'm tempted to go to more of a pano crop, but would be interested in your input.

7Dii, 500mm f4 ISL + 1.4TC, Jobu Gimbal on RRS legs, f/7.1, 1/6400, iso 500, aperture priority, -2/3 stop compensation. Cropped a bit off the right and bottom and added some to the top. Final size 17.7 MP. Processed in LR5 & CS6. Taken on February 25th at 9:07 am. Used Topaz detail to bring out more texture in the plumage.

Your comments would be most appreciated.

Thanks,

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on April 1, 2015 at 10:58 PM

Hi Dennis:

Getting Whoopers in flight is a treat all by itself, so congrats on that. I read your comment on the framing. I find the framing uncomfortable with too much room on top and not enough on the bottom. A pano crop helps, but I'd still like a bit more under the birds. Did you get any frames where the two birds were not merged?

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by David Rowe on April 2, 2015 at 5:41 AM

Hi Dennis
Detail in the Cranes is very good and I’m amazed at the DOF, given your settings. I’d say this shot is certainly worthy of further attention. Firstly get rid of the shrubbery, crop the right side and extensively crop the top. Add small amounts of canvas to the right and bottom edges. Lastly I’d do a repair job on the left wing of the nearer crane.
Wishing you well, David

Registered on December 20, 2013, 133 Posts, 286 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on April 2, 2015 at 8:55 AM

Dennis, the sharpness in both birds is pretty amazing for the focal length and f-stop. The details look very good also. I basically like your unconventional comp. and the soft touch of hillside in the background. I started out wondering if a bit more space below and less up top might be an improvement, but the longer I look, the better I like having the birds down in the corner.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on April 2, 2015 at 9:19 AM

I like the detail and action you captured. I enjoyed your composition as is. I think the background gives the birds a sense of place, that is somewhat close to the ground, so I don't think you need more space below them. And, I think adding a bit on top works.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on April 2, 2015 at 1:21 PM

Here's a repost with more room under it and less above.

Keith: I do have images in the sequence with complete separation. Unfortunately, I lost the light in the rear crane's eye after this frame and I don't personally mind them touching. I'll post some others later.

David: I wouldn't repair that wing for anything! I like asymmetry.

Let me know how you like the repost.

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

Comment posted by John Launstein on April 2, 2015 at 3:33 PM

Really, really like this one, Dennis! I'm actually on the fence on which comp I prefer--the repost is certainly more classic and plays by the rules, but there is something appealing and dramatic to the low positioning of the first. In any event, great frame!

Registered on April 5, 2011, 223 Posts, 1193 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on April 2, 2015 at 3:44 PM

I like the wing position and exposure is spot on - but I do wish there was a bit more room on the bottom so as such I prefer the second image

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on April 2, 2015 at 7:58 PM

Hi Dennis,

Second image works better for me. The composition is improved with more space on the bottom

......................................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments