The little things that so often negatively impact the appeal of an image often drive me to distraction.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
One of them is clipped wings (or any body part but clipping happens most often to wings). I photographed this Red-tailed Hawk as it lifted off from a juniper tree a week ago in Utah’s west desert. Raptors have large wings which extend vertically at takeoff so they’re easily clipped. You can plan for that by composing the bird lower in the frame as you’re anticipating liftoff but they sometimes dive downward from that elevated perch so it’s easy to clip wings when they’re in the down position too. There’s a lot of territory you have to cover with those wings in action – especially when you consider the fact that the most visually pleasing wing positions are usually up or down rather than horizontal . The other important variable is how close do you want to get to the bird? Too close means an increased chance of clipping, not close enough means reduced detail and image quality.
It’s a guessing game and the photographer often loses the game. I look at a shot like this and can’t help but think “dang, if I’d only had a few more pixels up top!”
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, canvas added for composition, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed this Northern Harrier two days ago at Farmington Bay. It lifted off from its tree perch at the exact moment I got my pickup stopped and pointed my lens at it. This was my first image of the bird, there were no perched shots. I like the light, sharpness, detail and the slight turn of the head toward me. I do not like that damned stick. Not only is it out of focus but part of it is in front of some of the flight feathers so it can’t be removed. I got other shots of the bird after this one but by then it was past me.
I’m not saying that I think these two images are abject failures and should be destined for the delete bin. I like them well enough to keep them, if for no other reason than the fact that I enjoy looking at the hawks. At least I do until I think about the stick and the clipped wing.
And these types of shots help me to appreciate even more those images I do get without any of those blasted “little things”.
Ron
Great teaching shots. I agree with you about that darned stick. BOOO!
For your technical gremlins, I have been unable to reply to your blog from my phone. I keep getting errors about your blog not being there. Very odd.
Fantastic shots Ron!
Charlotte
Having gone to a fixed lens earlier this year, I now appreciate your dilemma on some of these situations! It’s tough to move backward to gain some frame when I’m seated in that darn truck! More planning required. Something I’m trying to get used to.
Fantastic images of beautiful raptors such as these still takes my breath away, Ron, and I just don’t notice those little things!
(I apologize for not commenting on some of your posts lately. Life and all that…..)
“More planning required”
Exactly, Wally. As you’re approaching the bird you have to think a lot more about what kind of shot you’re after (static, or in flight) and how close you should get.
Beautiful images Ron.
Thank you, Bob.
Sometimes carvers put their carving on a stick to showcase the feathering and detail of the carving. That is the first thing that came to mind when I saw the picture. I’m sorry Ron, but I had to chuckle.
I won’t amplify what Patty said, it would be too embarrassing to me!! VBG
Dick, I have another shot where this harrier looks even more like it’s impaled on a stick. Grrr…
Looks like you clipped maybe ¼” off the wing on the first shot? Max? It looks to me like there is just no sky between the wing and the top of the frame.
I’ve been having problems lately with posting comments. On one I found out that it eventually did post, but yesterday apparently I was never able to post my comment. Don’t know if it’s my browser (Safari) or something on your end.
Dang, I thought we had those commenting problems fixed, Susan. Thank you for letting me know. We’ll see if we can figure it out…
Snorting at the one upmanship on the subject of retinal photos and photographic whoopsies.
I suspect that I could play that game as well.
Good luck with your eye Ron. Eyes and teeth can be a huge worry can’t they?
“Eyes and teeth can be a huge worry can’t they?”
You hit that nail on the head, Elephant’s Child. I’ve had problems with both, more than is typical or average.
You probably wouldn’t appreciate the photographs I’ve taken of my dashboard, knees, the floormats, my feet and my thumb..I think I may even have taken one of my own retina (small, unfamiliar point and shoot held backwards)…eat your heart out Mr. Dudley!!!
I’m still laughing at that one, Patty – even as I type!
Hit close to home, though. I’m having trouble with one of my eyes (very red and inflamed) so I may be having “photos” taken soon of my eye too. I’ll show you mine if you’ll show me yours…
Thanks for cheering me up.