To get extraordinary images it helps immensely to be inspired by knowing what is possible if you just keep trying. One can get that inspiration from a variety of sources, including the images of others. But usually it’s my own “near misses” that inspire (and frustrate) me most.
Here’s a case in point.
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, canvas added for composition, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed this male Mountain Bluebird 13 days ago as it took off from a tree in Clark County, Idaho. My shutter clicked just as the bird banked vertically so I caught the wings fully extended, I have good eye contact, there’s excellent light on the entire dorsal surface and there’s light in the eye. And the fast-moving bluebird is sharp at this high shutter speed. It’s a flight posture I simply adore in such a brightly colored and beautiful bird. This flight pose is very difficult to get in a songbird, especially when you don’t use setups or bait or call birds in.
So I was heartbroken when I clipped a wing and the bird was too close to the edge of the frame (I’ve added canvas to this version but I’m still not fond of the composition).
But I’ll keep this image for inspiration. It reminds me of what’s possible if I just keep at it. The possibility of this kind of shot is one of the reasons that I typically photograph perched birds at slower shutter speeds for a while but if the bird gives me enough time I often change my camera settings in anticipation of take-off.
One day I just might get lucky.
Ron
I love the picture of the bluebird you took. Thank you
Elizabeth
And the critics would complain about the twig. I think it’s beautiful!
Stunning even with that wing clip. What a gorgeous bird.
Aw, perfectionism rears it’s ugly head in this beautifully detailed shot Ron! It’s glorious.
Charlotte
Thanks very much, Charlotte.
Your ‘luck’ owes an incredible amount to hard work, to persistence and to stubbornness. (A bit of OCD doesn’t hurt either.)
And I am grateful for all of those things.
You’re probably right about my OCD when it comes to bird photography, EC.
I, like the others, love this picture. Being a jewelry artist I understand the perfection that you are striving for!! It’s great but you wanted it to be REALLY great!! I think it captures the beauty of this bird so that those of us who don’t usually get this close to these birds can experience this.
“It’s great but you wanted it to be REALLY great”
That sums it all up perfectly, Carol.
So you clipped the left wing tips, I’d be mad at myself as well, but I would also be delighted with the clarity of the shot!
I understand your frustration, but your shot is still a great shot, tack sharp, catch light in eye and to anyone else a fantastic picture.
Stay annoyed, while the rest of us marvel at your ability to take beautiful, fantastic, phenomenally great pictures!!
Thanks for the encouragement, Dick. Yes, I’m annoyed but I still like the shot quite a lot.
BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL! BEAUTIFUL! You go ahead and be picky, picky, picky…I am going to ignore you!!! Somet,imes I wonder about your sanity……
You won’t be the first to wonder about my sanity, Patty – be assured of that!
Ron, the imperfection of this shot is minimal, IMHO. It is gorgeous! It’s wonderful that you caught him with full wing spread, and I hope that you do eventually get a similar shot with complete wings.
Me too, Susan. “Complete wings” and enough room in the frame for a pleasing composition!
” Oh , wow !”—I actually voiced it out loud when I opened your blog to see these stunning colors and gorgeous pose—it was “perfect” to trigger a visceral
reaction from my gut just from those formal qualities alone——thanks for setting up my day with beauty !
I’m delighted that you enjoyed it so much, Kris. Thank you.
It’s a beautiful bird!! Not only is the photo an inspiration, so is the Gretzky quotation! Thank you for sharing both. I’ll be sharing it with friends who wonder why I take so many shots trying to get “the great one.”
I’m glad you liked the quote, Pat. I often think of it when I’m in the field photographing birds.
The downside of that philosophy is that it sure makes image culling a chore!
I am drooling too!!!Clipped wing in this picture doesn’t bother me. If it did. I know with PS you can perform miracles. But like it just as it is. Someday someday I”m dreaming I might get a shot like that. Marina. ( saw northern goshawk yesterday my first ever)
Good for you, Marina. I’ve only seen two goshawks that I know of.
Just like a falconer hoping for that perfect hunt, or a race driver searching for that perfect lap, those of us who seek perfection in what we do know what’s possible as long as we keep striving, keep reaching, keep trying. And that continual quest for perfection is what keeps us waking up each morning because it’s always possible today–as long as we’re striving, reaching and trying. There’s always something we can do better. But then one day, it happens. Then, we must reach it again. And life goes on.
Yes, my friend, I get that journey. I’ve always wondered about those folks for whom good enough is good enough. That said, … you KNOW what I’m going to say next! 🙂
SPLENDID shot (plus all the other superlatives)!
Well said, Laura. I often say that high quality bird photography wouldn’t be nearly as much fun if it were easy.
There’s always that challenge, every minute, every day to be the best you can be. I LIKE that! And if it were easy, everybody would be doing it. LOL!
Beautiful even with the clipped wing! It is, will be inspiration for sure of the “possible”.:) Love the detail in the wings and the eye contact. 🙂
Thank you, Judy.
Ron, This is a stunningly lovely Bluebird and knowing what a perfectionist you are I totally understand your frustration. To you this is a flawed capture that was extremely close to being perfect. So many of us tell you that this is a fantastic photo and kid you about your drive for “perfect” captures. I understand though that your drive is what has caused you to develop into the photographer we love to follow. I’m sure that for many of us our morning starts by opening your blog to see what jewels you are sharing with us to start our day. I would give anything to come close to your quality in my photos but I also know that your standards and your work at your craft have brought you to a level of photography we so admire. You keep striving and I know I’ll keep drooling over every photo you take!!!
Don’t get me wrong, Jo Ann. Despite its flaws I do love looking at this photo, at least I do when I can put those glaring imperfections out of my mind.
And what would we do without inspiration? So I enjoy the image for that reason too.
Still a beautiful picture. Most birds don’t like to cooperate. It was a noble attempt though!
All we can do is try our best, Jean. I’m reminded of what hockey player Wayne Gretzky said – “You miss 100% of the shots you never take”.