The 3D effect is strong in this one..
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Yesterday morning this adult White-crowned Sparrow paused ‘his’ foraging in a very large greasewood bush for long enough for me to get some photos in pretty nice light. He didn’t give me much pose variety but a couple of things about the setting jumped out at me in a positive way.
First I like the way he’s framed on two sides, below and behind him, by the sharp (in more ways than one) greasewood thorns, twigs and leaves with him looking into the open space to our right.
And the contrast between the sharp foreground greasewood and the out of focus greasewood in the background provides an unusually strong 3D effect that is only enhanced by the presence of the handsome sparrow. For me the three dimensional aspects of this photo are about as strong as any other photo I remember taking. Ever.
I know, it’s ‘only’ a sparrow and a common one at that. But I sure think he placed himself well in the frame, even if he is slightly centered..
Ron
It is a lovely photo for all the reasons you mentioned. I miss the white crowned sparrows I use to have in my yard. When they cleaned up the undergrowth in Red Butte Creek behind my house after the oil spill they seemed to disappear. It took the California Quail a few years to return but the sparrows have not returned.
Thanks, April. I do hope your sparrows return soon.
Reminds me of the old stereoscopic photos, except you don’t need the stereoscope. You get a bonus for the White-crowned Sparrow since it’s one of the few sparrows I can identify.
I’m not very good with sparrow ID either, Lyle. White-crowned, House and Savannah I’m pretty good at. Most of the others, not so much.
Common shmommon.
Like Marty I delight in the shot and am awed at the bird’s dodgeability. Dodgerity?
Thanks, EC. That’s a pretty prickly place to spend your time, eh,
This one really does work for that effect!
Glad you agree, Bruce.
My backyard is always full of these “common” guys. Love watching them all try to squeeze into their bird bath..Pool party❗️
The 3-D effect on this picture is so cool😊
We have RAIN here Northern California 🥳 With more coming this weekend.
Thanks, Diana. I’ve heard about your rain. You’re supposed to get lots of it – maybe too much.
Definitely not “only” a sparrow! What a beautiful little charmer! I definitely feel like I could reach into my computer and touch him. Optics is a pretty coolamatious thing! Almost as nifty as a bird being able to avoid all those thorns when landing on or flitting around a branch!
Thank you, Marty. Those birds, there were a lot of them, were flitting around those thorns like they weren’t even there.
Ron,
I also like the out of focus branches that mimic/repeat the angle of our little friend. Nice observations on the photo’s qualities.
Stephen
Good point, Stephen. Thank you.
A really striking photograph ! In trying to understand the very strong 3D
quality, I think it’s enhanced by the dearth of middle ground visual material
which makes the super-sharp foreground contrast even more with the
soft background– a really handsome setting…..
I agree with your reasoning, Kris. Well said.
Beautiful for all the reasons mentioned! 🙂 The sparrow clearly stands out and there is no question as to his environment……
Thanks, Judy.
Beautiful, love the shot!
Thank you, Dick.