Experimenting with Dippers

[Kev Lewis]

This is an image that I took awhile back and I didn't post it here because I dont know if it works. I was trying to show the natural habitat of this lovely bird so the waterfall shot is pretty obvious and this is taken with a very slow shutter speed 1/20 second to blur the water. I won't comment further as I may influence any comments just be honest please

Taken on a Canon 1d MkII N plus Canon 600mm f4 IS USM prime lens, tripod supported, mirror lockup and cable release

[Gill Catton]

I think it's lovely, really gorgeous the way the light hits the bird and the random splashes zig zag around. What is it you don't think works?

[matt_xyz]

this is an unusual shot Kev because I don't think I've ever seen a slow shutter moving water shot with a bird in it before - for obvious reasons! It's remarkable how still this bird must have been. For that reason at least I think the shot is of interest, but I do think it works nicely from an aesthetic point of view as well. I like it. It's also nicely exposed and the composition looks about right as well. It's a shame the bird isn't facing the camera a touch more (or at least showing more of its eye) but there's nothing that can be done about that at this stage.

Matt

[Chalk Downlanders]

Great picture. It does not always work using a slow shutter speed on water, but in this case it was an excelent choice.

I would like to have seen the bird in sunshine as it is a little dark and the foreground water tends to take the eye. Small adjustments in photoshop.

Great piccy

Kev

[paulthomas]

Doesn't work for me mainly because I can't stand that net-curtain-like representation of the water but that's a very personal thing. Great Dipper though

[Boddie]

I like the shot. I think your Gallery is superb and its high time you invested in some proper kit and not just getting by on that cheap stuff you are using

[eeyore]

Brilliant picture Kev. It just goes to show you don't need expensive kit to take a good shot.....

edit - whoops didnt realise Boddie had already made that joke - you're too quick for me

[Alan]

I like the shot Kev, the orange/brown of the Dipper contrasts nicely with the blue of the water. The diagonal slant of the water also lends a dramatic aspect to the shot, and give it even more movement, but just enough not to send the eye out of the shot.

As has been said, it would have been ideal if the birds head was just turned forward so the sunlight caught it's eye. I personally would prefere to see the water not blurred as much, but with a few more water splashes instead of streaks. This would also ensure that the bird was sharper. That's being picky though!

Alan

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Alan

I like the shot Kev, the orange/brown of the Dipper contrasts nicely with the blue of the water. The diagonal slant of the water also lends a dramatic aspect to the shot, and give it even more movement, but just enough not to send the eye out of the shot.

As has been said, it would have been ideal if the birds head was just turned forward so the sunlight caught it's eye. I personally would prefere to see the water not blurred as much, but with a few more water splashes instead of streaks. This would also ensure that the bird was sharper. That's being picky though!

Alan

See I like the streaks he he he

You just can't please all the people can you

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

See I like the streaks he he he

You just can't please all the people can you

I like the streaks too - but whatever definite credit for not being afraid to try something different.