<< Previous Next >>

Cruisin'


Cruisin'
Photo Information
Copyright: Adrian Hutton (aido) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1097 W: 168 N: 1218] (4046)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-05-31
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D2X, Sigma EX 50-500mm f/4-6.3 APO HSM DG, DxRAW ISO 160
Exposure: f/8, 1/1250 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-03-10 14:48
Viewed: 1217
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 62
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). I’ve tried to include some kind of background to in-flight shots to add some interest. I wanted to include some trees here but this is the best I could do. I think the DOF is too shallow as I’d have liked to get the tree in focus, although I think the way it is now serves to focus attention on the Eagle.

Taken at Eagle Heights in Eynsford, Kent in the UK.

As I’m a resident of the United States now here are some notes about the Eagle specific to this country.

In Native American cultures birds of prey, especially eagles, are represented in numerous artifacts and legends. The Thunderbird is present throughout North American Indian legends. The form of the Thunderbird is typically a huge eagle or vulture-type bird which exists in the heavens. The bird was believed to cause thunder as it flew, and some tribes considered it to be the Great Spirit itself. It was said that if you saw an eagle while you were praying or participating in a ceremony, your prayers would be answered. Some tribes believed that the eagle carried prayers directly to the great creator.

Eagle dances, ceremonies and societies occur throughout North American Indian legends and culture. Golden Eagles, the War Eagle, were kept for their molted feathers by Pueblo Indians of the southwestern United States. Many tribes used eagle feathers on weapons and head-dresses to symbolize victories and courage or to represent status. Parts of eagles, including feathers, talons, and skulls, remain important in the ceremonial and religious practices of many native American tribes. From wing bones, Plain’s men fashioned the whistles they blew during the Sun Dance, and they considered eagle claws to be powerful charms. In general, eagles symbolized nature’s power, mystery, and majesty. Indians worshipped or revered them across the continent.

Notes courtesy of the University of Indiana.


Post Processing:
Crop (approx 10% top and left of frame)
Increased red saturation to bring out the colour of the Eagles body
Cloned a couple of white feathers on wing
Resize to 800
USM 220% pixel radius 0.3

Shutter 1/1250
Aperture f/8
ISO 160
Matrix metering
exposure bias 0
Focal length 230mm
Cloudy and bright / patchy light
nainnain, JoseMiguel, RAP, elroyie, marcin, delic, loot, scottevers7, jmp, horia, ellis49, Alex99, claudine, greenpinkorange, marhowie, pilonm, Watershed, Debz, scharan1, oscarromulus, SkyF has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To marhowie: Sickaido 1 03-12 22:59
To greenpinkorange: in-flightaido 1 03-12 12:24
To horia: Hi Horiaaido 5 03-11 18:21
To vanderschelden: Thanksaido 1 03-11 15:17
To loot: Hi Lootaido 1 03-11 00:11
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

atterissage ou décollage??????
bonne photo, blesses couleur
bien vu, bravo.
edith

Hi Adrian,
This is a great capture of this eagle!
I like a lot the pose got here, the wing's are so beautifully curved in a very pleasant way.
You got very good focus on the moving subject, I like the clear details on the head.
Its' very good the compostion made with the bird and the tree.
Congratulations and thanks for share.
My best regards,
JM

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2007-03-10 15:14]

Perfecta captura en vuelo Adrian con impresionante agudeza, gracias al enfoque, iluminación y timing logrados.
El marcado contraste de la silueta del ave sobre el trasfondo resalta aun más con agradable punto de vista y muy atinado encuadre.
Con admiración... Ricardo

Perfect capture in flight Adrian with impressive sharpness, due to the achieved focus, illumination and timing.
The marked contrast of the silhouette of bird on the background stands out even more with pleasant point of view and very accurate framing.
With admiration.... Ricardo

Excellent capture, very good quality, very good in-flight picture, I liked the fact that you included the tree on the right.

  • Great 
  • marcin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 126 W: 0 N: 155] (1371)
  • [2007-03-10 15:21]

hello Adrian
wondeful capture, good sharp and colors
well done
marcin

  • Great 
  • Aramok Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 922 W: 99 N: 1396] (4799)
  • [2007-03-10 15:39]

I think the tree OOF looks best. Beautiful bird and yet another great capture of one of your ex-haunts...

Looks like the light was giving you a hard time there, but as always you have managed to pull it off really well and given I can't even manage a decent photo of a stationary bird, I'm in awe.

TFS
Emma

  • Great 
  • sily Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 252 W: 6 N: 391] (1859)
  • [2007-03-10 17:04]

Hi Aido!
Razer sharp, caught this moment of his wondering what shall he prey upon next? Shining up in the cloudy sky he really looks alive and proud entering our sight, I won't comment the quality of photo, it's always superb.You don't allow youreslf mistakes.

Hi Adrian,
Great to see a post from you! I think the DOF is perfect here. I think if the tree was sharp it would take away from the beautiful eagle. I do like it in the composition though. It gives a very nice sense of scale. Spot on exposure has the colors and detail looking great!
Scott

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5726 W: 605 N: 3416] (9137)
  • [2007-03-10 22:56]
  • [3] [+]

Hi Aido

I see you've pulled your roots, but unfortunately I do not speak American so I'll have to do this critique in English. Although the bald eagle has been photographed and posted quite extensively on TN there are not many in-flight shots of this bird. Anyway, each new photo just reaffirms the beauty and the grace of this majestic raptor. Especially when it is presented in such magnificent way. You have captured another winner here MF.

The composition and POV are great and I believe your judgement to keep the tree OOF was for the better. If it fell within the range of the DOF I reckon it rather would have been a distraction. The colours on the bird are splendid while the details are remarkable and this is especially noticeable on the head and neck areas. The soft clouds and bits of blue sky in the BG do well to compliment the bird and the exposure management was well worked.

Very well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1148 W: 254 N: 2555] (11565)
  • [2007-03-11 2:08]

Hi Adrian,

Nice to see a post of you agai,well captured inflight shot,I like the compo and the fact that you see the tree in the BG,which makes it a well balanced shot,TFS

Paul

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1836 W: 94 N: 2338] (8400)
  • [2007-03-11 2:14]

Hi Adrian,
A very sharp capture in a wonderful pose. Outstanding exposure, details and composition.
TFS and best regards, José M.

  • Great 
  • delic Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 530 W: 6 N: 340] (936)
  • [2007-03-11 4:09]

This is a superb photo, Adrian. Bald eagles are my favorites and your version is one of the best in-flight shots I've seen. Impressive sharpness and exposure job. Very well done. Best wishes,
Hakan

Très belle photo , netteté superbe
Bravo

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1676 W: 5 N: 2144] (11878)
  • [2007-03-11 6:59]

Bonjour Adrian!

Bravo pour la composition,j'aime le feuillage à droite de la photo et la pose de l'oiseau est parfaite. Bravo pour l'éclairage et les couleurs justes.
Merci!
Joseph

Hi Adrian,
Good shot...
A wonderful bird...
The latter is depicted very well.
I like the colour of the sky; it matches very well with the eagle's general look; eyes and 'heavy' wings...
It is definitely a good in flight shot...
Of course I see you can be puzzled about that and that detail...I guess that is about personal wishes and stuff...
Most of time good images can be changed in several ways IMO; for instance cropping like that or a bit in another way and so on...
I hope you understand me a bit:)
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2084 W: 216 N: 3766] (12498)
  • [2007-03-11 12:26]
  • [+]

Well look who's back! Hooray! How are you, Adrian?

It's really nice to see you back posting and participating on threads on the forum :)

This is a very beautiful shot and i really love it as it is.
I'm saying that because of the DOF fraze from your note. I think that if you had a very good focus on the tree, too, it would have been a bit distracting and it wouldn't have had as much perspective or 3D look...but that's just my opinion.

The pose in which you captured this impressive bald eagle is wonderful and it reminds me of your earlier and simply fascinating in-flights.
The sharpness is impeccable and the details on it are crispy-clear. Also, the colors are wonderful and very well saturated and the lighting and exposure are spot-on.
The contrast with the darker clouds in the BG is great, too, as well as the composition and framing.
All-in-all: a 5* photo [an aido trademark ;) ]

Cheers and TFS
horia

Hi Adrian,
a very fine in-flight shot, details and exposure are good.
The eye has a really sharp look
Very nice colours, well composed and good DOF.
Well done.

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3043 W: 148 N: 4547] (14679)
  • [2007-03-11 13:46]

Hi, dear Adrian.
Amazing in-flight shot with great pose of the eagle and wonderful scenery. Well detailed trees and clouds look very nice. Reproduction of the bird image is perfect: excellent colours, reflection of the expression of the eagle, sharpness. Note is the best, as usual for you. My best regards and TFS.
Alexei.

Hi Adrian,

Always a pleasure to view your fantastic raptor shots. This one really is nice, I like the angle especially on this capture. An excellent exposure showing the lights and darks well. :)

Hello,
This is another great in-flight shot from you. I like the fact that we can see the bird's face very well. It has kind of an expression, which one, I don't know but an expression :) This tree in the composition adds something interesting. Details and exposure are perfect. This is a very nice composition with excellent POV. I wish I could have photographed this guy from that close... :) This is a very good portrait of and impressive and symbolic bird. Thanks,
Claudine

This is an awesome picture of a bird in flight! WOW! The sharpness is perfect and the composition is lovely! How'd you do it!?
I kinda like the tree there in the background, it gives it alot more character and interest. BRAVO!
Steph

Hey Buddy, excellent inflight from your hand.
Hard to get em' this sharp, excellent work.

I'm sicker than a dog with a bad chest cold, and the wife's sick as well right now..
Misery loves company as they say. Anyway,
Very well done.

  • Great 
  • pilonm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 546 W: 99 N: 818] (2667)
  • [2007-03-14 10:10]

Hello Adrian,

I prefer a lot that picture with the OOF tree giving depth to the image! The eagle is sharp and the white exposition, well done! I really like the compo you did including the tree! 1/1250s, is an excellent choice in order to get this clarity!

Great job and TFS!

Michel

Hi Adrian,
I really like this capture of this beautiful bird. Another excellent shot of which you have the secret ;o) very well compposed, excellent DOF and POV. Well done and TFS,
Regards,
Stéph

  • Great 
  • Debz Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 582 W: 0 N: 866] (3283)
  • [2007-03-19 8:59]

Hi Adrian, a magnificent shot of this Bald Eagle. So sharp and well focused from such a distance. Great colour and DOF. Your exposure is excellent making the best use of the light.
tfs
debz

The wingspan is excellent as is having the tree at the side. Even at this compression it shows very well.

Olá Adrian

Mais uma bela foto!
Ótimo enquadramento e lindas cores.
Um excelente trabalho, parabéns!

Grande abraço,
Vera.

Adrian,
It baffels my mind as to how you make these most beautiful images look like 3D imaging.
Such details!!!
UNBELIEVABLE. (Your notes too are a real treasure.)
Greetings from Canada from Mario.

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-03-31 22:10]

Hello Adrian

A wonderful in flight shot of this bald eagle.I was lucky to see 3 the other day.The clarity of the image is excellent.The colours and lighting are natural.A very nicely composed shot.TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2390 W: 194 N: 1991] (8113)
  • [2007-05-06 19:38]

Hello Aido,
great inflight shot of this bald eagle, the position of the wings are so beautiful.
You did excellent, the details and sharpness are perfect.
Very well done.
Sky

Excellent in flight capture.
I love the pose.
I prefer the tree out of focus, as it is. I can't imagine that it would have been a plus to get it in focus.

TFS

JM

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF