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Sunshine Girl
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Sunshine Girl

by Howard Cheek

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted June 15, 2015125 views7 comments

I started out shooting wildlife in 2004 with an Olympus C8080 point & shoot. I found a free photo sharing nature site called TrekNature.com at that time. The one person there that inspired & mentored me more than any other, was a swedish man named Gert Ellstrom.

He specialzed in dynamic images of large flying birds (ducks, geese, etc.) that simply amazed me. So I purchased my first DSLR (Canon 20D), and a 100-400mm zoom. He was always there to answer my dumb newbie questions..

To this day I don't think he knows what a difference he made. So this is for you Gert. Thank you!

 

Comments

7 comments
Comment posted by Alberto Patiño on June 15, 2015 at 10:38 PM

A great tribute, Howard, as well as a very beautiful and dynamic image. A ballerina comes to mind, though I still have to see one as graceful as this humble cardinal !

Registered on December 2, 2014, 278 Posts, 1736 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on June 16, 2015 at 7:47 AM

You learnded very well, Howard.  This is a great action shot, especially those outstreatched wings and feet plus a nicely color coordinated background.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Mike Ramy on June 16, 2015 at 11:05 AM

Oh Baby !
We need to start calling you 'Mister Timing' . . .
You've learned well Howard especially considering that capturing a flying 'Large' bird is a cake walk compared to what you have here. I'm wondering how many photographers actually realize how difficult an image like this is to accomplish and yet you have the skills of patience and anticipation to not only make the shot but make it with the detail, background and lighting that most of us cannot manage with the subject sitting still on a perch.
Well Done . . .  devil

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on June 16, 2015 at 8:46 PM

EXCELLENT........devil.........Howard, I love this for the action taking place. I just read the recently released Wright Brothers book, and I know Wilbur and Orville would loved to have seen this one for the winged control aspect.......laugh

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments
Comment posted by gary phillips on June 18, 2015 at 12:24 AM

Here's to Gert !!!!!!!!!!!!! One thing a good teacher needs is an exceptional student. You're the man.

Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments
Comment posted by Barb Pflaum on June 18, 2015 at 12:45 PM

This is a really excellent capture, Howard!  Great detail and sharpness. I love the position of the wings and feet.  Very nice bg.

Registered on January 14, 2009, 316 Posts, 2724 Comments
Comment posted by Albert Darmo on June 18, 2015 at 10:20 PM

Hi  Howard  cryingGert  would be  proud  of the  tribute you gave  him, and to see how you  developed into a  master  phortographer. .  this  sunshine girl  is proof of  your great talentdevil

 

Albert Darmo..   Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments