Posted by Andy Shepherd on February 3, 2014 at 7:11 AM
Looking at how forum participation has declined in the last 24 months I had decided not to renew my membership and it duly ran out on the 15th of November last year, no big deal I thought, I can save myself £30 and that will be that.
But then I got to thinking about how much this forum and it's members had helped me improve as a photographer over the last 7 years, and not just in the technical side of things. Thanks to one forum member I completely changed the way I approached my photography and for that Kick Up The Backside I will always be grateful.
It would be such a shame if UKNP went the way of the Dodo, so on that thought I decided to renew my membership and get back to posting and I'm hoping some more of you do the same.
Anyhoo, here's a shot of a Red Grouse to get me started.
Very nice Andy.
Blooming heather gives away the time of year, but they always look better when the heather's out
On the forum thing........Still the best all round nature photography forum in the UK. Social media might give the ego a bigger rub, but for honesty and opinion this place still tops them
Posted by Mike Smith on February 3, 2014 at 5:36 PM
Your decision is the only way this forum can survive: if no one would participate, well there will be no need for this forum .
I like your photo. With my continental eye I can see bold letters saying Scotland all over this image. I don't know, if that's good or bad, that's just how I react to the image.
Cheers,
Marko
Posted by Andy Shepherd on February 4, 2014 at 11:26 AM
Thanks for the welcome back and thanks for the feedback too
Hi Andy, nice to see them in the flowering/colourful heather, the diffused BKG gives good separation and clarity to the subject. They seem to be doing well at present and in abundance, however hunkering down quite a bit due to the weather at present, but this does create some nice alternatives. Been good over the last few days up on the moors. A steady hand at 1/100 sec.
Steve
Posted by Andy Shepherd on February 4, 2014 at 3:57 PM
Hi Steve, thanks for the feedback. I was up on the tops this morning and it was a winter wonderland at 2000ft, lots of snow and ice and a few juvenile Black Grouse, the odd Red, but very little else. Roll on May for some better light and loads of full frame Snipe
Andy...
Posted by Craig Jones on February 5, 2014 at 9:02 AM
Beautiful image and full of colour and behaviour
Posted by Andy Shepherd on February 6, 2014 at 10:54 AM
Thanks Craig
Andy...
Posted by Gary McGhee on February 14, 2014 at 3:27 PM
Really liking the clean background Andy, the grouse really pops. Nice and sharp where it needs to be and I like the diffused flowering heathers.
Gary.
Posted by Alan Bryant on February 22, 2014 at 8:28 PM
Discussion
14 repliesLooking at how forum participation has declined in the last 24 months I had decided not to renew my membership and it duly ran out on the 15th of November last year, no big deal I thought, I can save myself £30 and that will be that.
But then I got to thinking about how much this forum and it's members had helped me improve as a photographer over the last 7 years, and not just in the technical side of things. Thanks to one forum member I completely changed the way I approached my photography and for that Kick Up The Backside I will always be grateful.
It would be such a shame if UKNP went the way of the Dodo, so on that thought I decided to renew my membership and get back to posting and I'm hoping some more of you do the same.
Anyhoo, here's a shot of a Red Grouse to get me started.
1/100th @ f5.6 -1/3rd iso400 ( 97% of FF )
Andy...
Phil.
Thanks very much, Phil
Andy...
Your Grouse looks great in it's natural setting, the oof heather BG makes it for me.
Keith.
Blooming heather gives away the time of year, but they always look better when the heather's out
On the forum thing........Still the best all round nature photography forum in the UK. Social media might give the ego a bigger rub, but for honesty and opinion this place still tops them
Your decision is the only way this forum can survive: if no one would participate, well there will be no need for this forum
I like your photo. With my continental eye I can see bold letters saying Scotland all over this image. I don't know, if that's good or bad, that's just how I react to the image.
Cheers,
Marko
Thanks for the welcome back and thanks for the feedback too
Andy...
Steve
Hi Steve, thanks for the feedback. I was up on the tops this morning and it was a winter wonderland at 2000ft, lots of snow and ice and a few juvenile Black Grouse, the odd Red, but very little else. Roll on May for some better light and loads of full frame Snipe
Andy...
Thanks Craig
Andy...
Gary.
A bird that is on my future photo to take list