Sandhill Pair

Gallery: AvianPosted December 17, 20152,800 views8 comments

I have so many images of Sandhill cranes from the Bosque Del Apache, that I'm always trying for something a bit different. In this case I spent the morning liftoff with slower shutter speeds trying to convey the power and movement of these graceful birds as they fly from their overnight roosts.

I liked the symmetry and motion conveyed via the blur, but panned at the right speed to hold the heads pretty sharp. Interested in your thoughts.

Canon 7D Mark II
500mm f/4
1/125 @ f/20, ISO 320

Cropped top and bottom.

Larger version provided for critical viewing.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Cay-Uwe Kulzer on December 18, 2015 at 1:58 AM

Keith,

I like images of this style and I would have tried even a slower speed even knowing that the risk of getting a less sharp image in the important areas, like the head.

Registered on January 27, 2004, 494 Posts, 4021 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on December 18, 2015 at 12:10 PM

Good image and nice execution, Keith. I like how the motion blur of the wings worked well, and the 1/125 shutter allowed pretty good detail in the heads and legs.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 18, 2015 at 12:29 PM

I'm not usually a fan of blurred shots, but this works for me as posted. The blur isn't so extreme and the heads are fine as the point of focus and viewer attention. I like the modest blur in the primaries.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 18, 2015 at 1:22 PM

This worked nicely for my taste, Keith. Good job on panning to keep the heads crisp, and I like the effect on the bg.

devil

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

Comment posted by Steve Thompson on December 18, 2015 at 8:59 PM

Nice technique on this image. It's not easy to pull off but this works pretty well for me Keith. I like that they are both in wings down position in sync with each other. Well done! devil

Registered on August 7, 2014, 125 Posts, 2319 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on December 20, 2015 at 11:07 AM

Very cool how the heads are in focus and the rest of the image suggests movement. Very artistic.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on December 22, 2015 at 3:45 PM

Nice job here Keith, not an easy image to pull off (getting not one, but two cranes with sharp heads on a blur image). I also like the symmetry in this image.

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

Comment posted by Lucy Aron on December 27, 2015 at 11:19 AM

I like your choices here Keith. Tiny nit maybe would like a little more sharpness in the legs, but overall effect very pleasing.

Registered on February 25, 2011, 189 Posts, 1160 Comments