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KEYHOLE VIEW


KEYHOLE VIEW
Photo Information
Copyright: Ram Thakur (ramthakur) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3298 W: 167 N: 9919] (32178)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-20
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D200, Sigma 70-300 4-5.6 APO DG MACRO, 58mm UV
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/1000 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-04-25 5:05
Viewed: 898
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
KEYHOLE VIEW OF WHITE-CHEEKED BULBUL

Borrowing the expression “Keyhole View” from one of the critiques on my previous post of this bird I shot here in Riyadh recently, I share with you another image of it today.
This picture of a White-cheeked Bulbul is also intended to present a contrast with the picture of a Crested Himalayan Bulbul I posted yesterday.

In my note, I wish to share with you my experience of shooting this bird.

We have a limited range of trees here, almost restricted to date palms. We have seven of them within our compound and only one fig tree which is more like a bush than a tree. Four species of birds inhabit this little environment, namely, House Sparrows, Doves, White-cheeked Bulbuls and Mynahs. The only beehive/honeycomb in one of the palm trees struggles constantly for survival in the absence of adequate means.

There is only one pair of White-cheeked Bulbuls in our compound. It is elusive and seen only rarely. Most of the birds living in our compound fly in and out constantly during the day, foraging, most probably, in other compounds in the neighbourhood. They are quite shy and fly away in response to slightest human movement. The palm fronds provide a convenient cover to them and it is difficult to shoot them inside them. It is even difficult to locate them, leave alone shooting them. I was able to locate this solitary Bulbul after changing numerous locations from my perspective on the ground and when I finally did, it was visible only partially. That is why the term “Keyhole View”.
I shot it from ground level at an angle of about 60 degrees. The distance was a little more than 10 meters. I chose ISO rating 400 and aperture value 6.3 in view of the tricky light within the tree; focusing through the “Keyhole” was a trying experience. The bird within the keyhole view changed positions only slightly and I took six single shots, waiting each time for change in the bird’s posture.

While cropping the picture, I retained a larger swath of things surrounding the bird in the Keyhole to convey the degree of difficulty involved in shooting this picture.

Thanks for looking and regards to all.
JORAPAVI, Argus, Jamesp, mikou, JoseMiguel, jaycee, uleko, XOTAELE, jcoowanitwong, iris, nainnain has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hola Ram,
Parece que volvemos a compartir galería, bonita y original la imagen que nos presentas hoy, con el pajarillo despistado entre la fronda. Saludos
José Ramón

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3262] (14691)
  • [2007-04-25 6:58]

Sir
nice shot of this sweet cute bulbul. It really looks like a keyhole view but unfortunately the bulbul is looking somewhere else.
Rgds
Ganesh

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3824 W: 190 N: 11393] (35107)
  • [2007-04-25 6:58]

Hello Ram,
I think I prefer this one to your first 'keyhole view', as here we can see some details not only of the Bulbul, but of the date palms and fruit, the whole making a very pleasing composition and a good insight of some of the life in your compound.
TFS and best wishes, Ivan

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1351 W: 0 N: 5494] (16524)
  • [2007-04-25 7:20]

Hi Ram

I agree this is the better shot - there is less 'solid' palm in the frame. The palm nuts also add texture andd interest.

Jaes

  • Great 
  • mikou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 840 W: 67 N: 1311] (5269)
  • [2007-04-25 9:01]

Hi Ram.
Beautiful this your "keyhole view".I like very good details on bird as well as on fruits the palm.Very nice composition with very pleasant colors and light.Interesting shot and well done.
Thanks,with greeting Milos.

Hi Ram,
A very interesting picture!
You really had to move to adapt the POV between all that trees and branches.
But I like very much the result and the bird's details seen.
The fruits and branches makes this image so rich.
Well done and thanks for share it.
My best regards,
JM

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2007-04-25 10:44]

Hi Ram,

I love these keyhole or peek-a-boo shots! The beautiful bird shows up well in the midst of the date palms. I would have liked to have seen the full face but this is very effective.

Jane

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2999 W: 162 N: 984] (2877)
  • [2007-04-25 10:50]

Hello Ram,
Nice to see this Bulbul in the Date Palm which is where I have seen this species. I like the way he's surrounded by the palm fruits and the colours are lovely. The Bulbul is nicely in focus between the blurred leaves.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

Hello Ram looks like you were sneeking up on the bird and got a nice position there to get the shot :-) nicely focussed on the bird despite the distractions on either side well caught tfs rgds Necip.

Precioso pajarillo del que se aprecia el contraste entre el plumaje de su cabeza y el cuerpo.
Bellos detalles.
Saludos Ram, JL.

  • Great 
  • demeve Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 604 W: 11 N: 1631] (5995)
  • [2007-04-25 14:01]

Hi Ram, nice shot, for me what it matters is the subject, not the bauty itself of the whole photo, as long the subject on it like the bulbul can be aprecciate and understand I'm happy..thanks for sharing your vision..

  • Great 
  • ridvan Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 555 W: 0 N: 1134] (5196)
  • [2007-04-25 15:25]

hi RAM; amazing shot and nice comp with nice colours.interesting POV ,good BG and eye contact of this lovely bird. TFS
well done
regards
ridvan

Hello Ram,
Very nice pov. This is really a difficult situation to take a good shot. Admire your artistic composition.
JC

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 469 W: 60 N: 947] (3016)
  • [2007-04-26 2:07]

Hello sir,
This "keyhole" version of your earlier presentation is fantastic and so aptly titled.

The beauty of a keyhole is in peering through it and finding all the objects in there so very clearly.The eyes 've to be really focused and looking right in and that's what you 've presented so beautifully.
TFS & Cheers

hello ram
bien vu ce petit oiseau qui a l' air de guetter derriere
tout est bon super bg
bravo pour tous
edith

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