Our smoky skies can be a real problem for bird photographers. For now I’ve pretty much given up on flight shots where the background is sky because the smoke from forest fires makes that background uniformly gray and unappealing. Even when the bird is perched and the background is something else the smoke can do funky things to the light but sometimes, even though it looks a little different, I like the effect.
These night heron images, taken three days ago at Bear River MBR, are a case in point. Both images were taken while the sun was quite low in the sky (7:53-7:55 AM) and the light had a noticeably warm, red component through the smoke.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
It seems to have been a productive breeding season for the species at Bear River because juveniles seem to be more abundant than usual for this time of year. This one had been fishing near the shoreline with its feet buried in mud so when it took off it left a trail of water and mud in the air behind it. I cropped the image as I did in order to feature that muddy trail. The effect of the smoke on the light may or may not appeal to most viewers but I find it interesting.
1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
This image, taken two minutes before the previous one, is of another bird. The effect of the smoke on the light is even more apparent but I didn’t play with color balance or saturation in either photo – it is what it is and I have no problem with it. In fact I kind of like it.
The backgrounds of both images might be a little busy for some but the habitat is typical for the species and that appeals to me. This last image is full frame except for a vertical slice taken off of the right side for composition.
Ron
What I like most is the mud trailing off the feet on the launch shot. ;D
I hope the fires diminish quickly. While appreciating the soft beauty that smokey skies can add.
Love your honesty and your integrity.
I hope so too, EC. They’re simply awful. Thank you.
Although the smoky skies have been troublesome, I do agree I have been enjoying the unusual lighting it has been creating in photos. I like the warmer tones and sepia backgrounds I have been getting. The photos look altered but I have not change a thing.
“The photos look altered but I have not change a thing.”
That’s often the case with some of my images too, April. I long for clear skies again…
“Busy background” or not, I like the honesty of the setting…of the context of where this bird lis found…therefore, for me, it has tremendous value and in no way diminishes , but rather enhances, my enjoyment of the focal subject, the bird….Love the feather detail and contours in both frames, and the muddy trail in the first….
Thank you for that feedback, Patty. The “honesty of the setting” is always important to me and I’m glad you picked up on that. It almost looks like the chest of the second bird has been impaled by that one reed in the background but as I said in my text “it is what it is”…
These are just beautiful. I don’t mind either the smoky light or the busy background, because they show the reality of life for those birds. I did not even see the trail of mud in the first photo until I read your description. I’ll blame that on lack of sleep rather than poor observation skills…
You’ve proven time and again that you have excellent observational skills, Susan. Coffee up!
Thanks, Ron. But if I “coffee’d up” it would be an even worse disaster. I just can’t do caffeine, and have been like that for more than 30 years. Caffeine means at least another 24 hours without sleep… I’ll skip the coffee and look harder at the photos. 🙂
The shots are just fantastic Ron! I think it sounds like maybe you might be forgetting that you can never appeal to everyone with your shots. Your photography is art and no artist appeals to all.
Charlotte
Point well taken, Charlotte. Thank you.
Amen!!!
I think these shots are terrific! You will hardly ever find me complaining about a busy background when taking images of wildlife. The primary subject is what is important in my mind, although others will manipulate the background and other aspects of an image to suit their artistic tastes. I just wish those that do would say so – that is the reason I truly appreciate your blog – you are as honest as the day is long and it is really appreciated.
Thanks very much, Dick. I can’t tell you how much that last part of your comment means to me.
And I agree – photographers who do significant cloning or other kinds of alteration to their images should at least DISCLOSE that fact!