Mourning Doves are one of several species that don’t get their fair share of exposure on Feathered Photography.
1/8000, f/5.6, ISO 1600, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
So photographing this one eight days ago in a remote area of Box Elder County was the perfect opportunity to at least begin to remedy the situation. When I first found ‘him’ he was perched on a rusty old metal fence but eventually he flew a short distance to this much more attractive natural perch. I like lots of things about the photo, including the yellows of massive numbers of out-of-focus sunflowers in the background.
Regular followers of Feathered Photography may have noticed that, when it comes to composition when I’m cropping my images, my preferred aspect ratio is 5×7. But 5×7 doesn’t always work out.
This version of the photo is cropped to my generally preferred 5×7. The bird’s a little higher in the frame than I’d like but I didn’t want to isolate the smaller rock at lower left from the larger rock by moving the bird further down. I don’t like ‘stuff’ poking into my frame edges.
But I’ll admit to dinking around with the aspect ratio. This version of the same photo is cropped to 4×5, so I could include the isolated and seemingly unattached single sunflower at upper right that to me resembles, just a little, an out-of-focus sun hanging in the blue sky. This version makes the dove smaller in the frame but I just think that fake sun adds some interest.
But in the end and as usual, a 4×5 aspect ratio is just too “blocky” for my tastes, too close to a square composition. In this case I also prefer the bird to be larger in the frame so if I had to choose, my choice would be version #1 – the 5×7.
I’m including the 4×5 version to make viewers aware of some of what goes on in the background when I’m choosing images to post. And deciding how to process them.
Ron
5 x 7 for me. The bird is the focus.
I really like the background too. Are the sunflowers grown for oil or escapees from previously cropping?
EC, Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is native to Utah. And incredibly prolific.
Interesting, the different stories told by the two versions. I prefer the 5×7 for this one. The yellow sunflowers and grey blobs on the left in #2 are distracting to me, tho’ they do place the bird in the environment, as Kent said.
We’ve had MoDos in the yard for the first time this summer (Central WA). We had a ton in NJ, and I’ve seen them on wires since we moved here, but never in the yard. Suddenly a bunch. They’ve generally been holding their own with the EC doves. It’s been fun to watch them just going along.
Carolyn, we have them year round, just not as many as we used to.
I don’t think they get any love either. Usually they are paired too. I personally shoot and print 4X6 which is the sensor ratio and what I see in viewfinder. Sometimes crop 4X5. Curious as to why you shot at such a fast shutter speed and high ISO?
“Curious as to why you shot at such a fast shutter speed and high ISO?”
I was wondering if anyone would ask about that. It was a mistake, a big one. I forgot to change my settings from those I’d used in a previous, much darker, situation.
Of course I have done that many a times too!
I like the first image. It’s hard sometimes, there are always bits you want to avoid. Eric gets mad at me when I use some random crop size, not even a standard one, when I am trying to avoid bits I don’t like. I tell him I am making the image to suit me no one else. I don’t sell them or even print and hang them. I have favorite images that play on my computer screen when it is on but not in use.
April, they’re your photos so seems to me you should crop them as you see fit.
Team 5×7! Mourning Doves are prevalent in our Scottsdale AZ neighborhood. Pretty – and stupid! Their nest locations are often precariously built at the far edge of a tree limb and the wind destroys them. Have rescued 2 from my fireplace. I do love their ‘coos’ – very soothing. Nice to see a pic of one outside of suburbia. 😄
You’re right about the precarious locations of many of their nests, Kathleen. Their nests are also pretty flimsy, which doesn’t help.
Sensational shots! Thanks for sharing.
Charlotte Norton
Thanks, Charlotte.
Put me down as a favor of the 4X5. I like the “line” of the back of the dove pointing to the “sun.” Ya, it doesn’t make bird the sole focus, but I feel showing the birds immediate environment is part of what the bird is. When I think of doves, I think of sunny autumn days, and this captures that feeling.
Thanks for providing the rationale for your preference, Kent.
I find the 4×5 image has an abstract quality to it while the 5×7 focuses attention right on the bird. I prefer the intensity of the 5×7 but also appreciate the 4×5.
Thanks for that feedback, Linda.
Ron – first time around I forgot the Sunflowers – I think here in the Prescott area we are the Sunflower capitol of the world. Toward late summer into the fall we are covered in Sunflowers.
That’s pretty much the way it is here too, Everett.
I also prefer the 5×7 version. For me there are fewer distractions so that my focus is on the lovely, detailed image of the mourning dove. The blue sky and the out of focus sunflowers make a wonderful backdrop. Such a peaceful image, Ron. Thank you.
Good point about distractions, Melanie.
I’d go with photo #1.
Looks like an juvenile Mourning Dove.
They are beautiful and serene creatures
Michael, I also think it’s a juvie.
I don’t mind 4×5 or square on occasion but in this case the 5×7 definitely is the way to go. The light on the background complimenting the dove is really nice.
Thanks, Bruce. Most often I use more blocky compositions when I’m documenting behaviors. In those kinds of photos the behaviors are more important than the composition.
Good Sunday morning Ron. Yes Doves, Coots, Mallards, Robins, etc. Among our most overlooked. We usually get about 20 Doves per day in the back yard so I often skip them when I am out. I always crop close to the standards, but often crop to my own preference that is always not far from the standards, but more pleasing to the eye – or at least my eye.
Everett, I usually crop to the “standards” too, in part because standard aspect ratios are much easier to find pre-made frames for. Custom frames are expensive, for me and for any potential clients.
I have always loved the softness of the mourning doves, the colours, those huge liquid eyes, yes they’re favourite but not a bird that often yields me interesting behviours, mostly I suppose because the restricted locale, my feeder yard, is usually where I see them. I too generally prefer the 5×7 format but since I never frame any of mine (though my sister has framed a few, but she is a master framer who thinks nothing of spending well upwards of a hundred dollars per frame so I am happy to give her the challenges she needs to showcase her skill) to me, customized formats are often preferable to eliminate those pokey edge bits or distracting captures. I’m probably a bit nutty but for me processing is almost as much of a pleasure as interacting with my “captures”. So, to see you highlighting one of my favorites today was a pleasant surprise and following your processing thoughts and choices brought another pleasure to my Sunday.
Granny Pat, sure wish I had a sister who was a framer. As I said elsewhere, custom frames are expensive!
Nice! 🙂 5 x 7 works better in this case. Pretty Dove and appears to be relaxed and a bit puffed up – perhaps it was chilly? The “warm” backgrounds suits it fine…… 🙂
Eurasian Collared Doves haven’t succeeded in running out the Mourning Doves here though their numbers are increasing… 🙁
Thanks, Judy. Eurasian Collared Doves have done the same thing around here. I see far fewer Mourning Doves than I used to.