Sometimes images will appeal to me despite a noticeable imperfection. Or even two…
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed this juvenile Red-tailed Hawk at Farmington exactly 6 months ago today as it took off from a Russian Olive tree. I like the wing position and overall flight posture, the mix of blue sky and white clouds in the background and the colors and textures of the perch it just left. However, I find the image wanting for two reasons:
- the head of the bird is turned ever so slightly away from me resulting in a less engaging image for the viewer and insufficient light and/or color in the eye
- the composition seems slightly awkward because the hawk is just a little too high in the frame. I could have removed canvas below and added some above but that would result in just a few leaves and olives poking into the frame at bottom left that would probably need to be cloned out, which I don’t like to do. Besides, I like seeing at least some of the perch the bird has just left so this is the best compromise I could come up with
So, this image by itself is likely one I never would have posted. But…
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
in combination with this shot, two frames later, I think the images collectively are interesting because they give the viewer such a good look at the plumage colors and patterns of the beautiful hawk. The two images together show very clearly the feather groups of both the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the right wing. I think the light angle and sharpness of the images helps to define those groups quite well.
So, I guess what I’m saying is that there can be varying reasons for the appeal of certain images. They can be beautiful and technically “perfect” but if they’re not ideal in that regard they can still be interesting and have value.
At least that’s my view…
Ron
The bottom one is gorgeous. It really drew me in.
This pair of images is really thrilling to me. I look for a while in amazement at the beauty of the bird in both positions and were it not for your photos, I would be completed unaware of what you have revealed!
Sensational Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Picky, picky, picky.
Frequently about images I could never achieve and would consider perfect, perfect, perfect.
Images viewed with open eyes, heart and mind almost always have something delightful about them. You know what drew my eyes in the first, and the plumage and the wing-tip curl in the second are a joy.
Yep, I sure did know what would draw your eyes first, EC. You’re a britches kind of lady! And you’ve made me more aware and appreciative of them too.
What a lovely thing to say. I am really pleased if I have helped you to find more magic in your work.
Hi Ron,
For the rest of us your images are perfect. You are looking at 100% and most of us can’t even get close to your images.
Len
Thank you, Len.
Your lens work continues to amaze me. And in my view these shots are “perfect,’ if there ever is such a thing. Thanks for sharing all your wonderful shots.
Thank you for the nice compliment, Eric.
Beautiful images Ron! There’s almost a trick of the eye in the first image to my mind ,as where both wings line up to almost create a “one wing” effect.
I see what you mean, John – the lines of the right wing continue with those of the left wing behind it.
To my eye, both images are just about perfect…in composition and detail…sometimes Infeel something’s wrong with ME, because I can’t find the fault with images you aren’t satisfied with. I like the side view and determination of the bird in the first and love the glimpse of the vegetation, especially how the curve of the leaves echoes the curve of the bird’s primaries ( in both frames). I can clearly see the eye in both. Sometimes I think you’re nuts!!!!
No question, Patty, I am a little nuts.
However, I stick with what I said – to me the bird in the first image is a little too high in the frame compositionally. However, as we both know, composition is often a matter of taste and personal preference.
Just beautiful, Ron!! I love that you shared the 2 photos together. I don’t have your eye so I don’t see anything but 2 awesome captures of a gorgeous raptor. Thanks for letting me in to your window on wildlife.
Thanks very much, Jo Ann.
I think these photos are very pleasing to the eyes and the detail in the wings is very nice. Question, how far away was the bird? I’m guessing about 150 feet? I’m just curious so I can get an idea of how much cropping you did.
Oldtool2, The first image was cropped to 69% of the original image (12.3 of 17.9 MP) and the second image was cropped to 50% of the original image.