loot (10011) [2009-11-21 23:08]
Hi Markus

Your intro page say that your "photography may be considered a little bit particular"
and that you "like the abstract aspect in nature photography". To this I have to say
that I am probably out of my league to critique this. I must hastily add that beautiful
has never been ugly and my eyes do know what it likes and this image definitively
pleases my eyes. I have great respect for you guys who can look at a given pattern
or something even more abstract that maybe do not even look like there's a pattern
yet you can conjure the most wonderful images from it. Although this may represent
a smorgasbord of shapes and sizes it is an amazing shot and the eyes totally enjoy
what it sees. After all one must remember that it is gold (chuckle).

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

PS. Thanks for your visit and kind comments to my flying Impalas.

loot (10011) [2009-11-21 22:19] [+]
Hi Sion

I think whatever I possibly could have said or suggested was already done by the
wise man of the site. Ivan gave you some very valuable pointers which you can do
good with if you try and apply it in future efforts. That what we can see of the bird is
fine, but it is those bits and pieces that we can not see which could make a great
difference for you shot. The more one learns about photography and nature the
more these aspects will become second nature whenever you point your camera at
some animal or scenery.

Please allow me to make another suggestion. There are many different software
packages for photographic post processing and I don't want to run down any by
name, but see if you can lay your hands on the Adobe PhotoShop CS (any version
from 2 upward), learn to utilise it properly, and I can promise you, you will never
again look back.

Good effort young man and TFS.
Regards
Loot

PS. Thanks for your visit and kind comments to my flying Impalas.

loot (10011) [2009-11-21 22:06]
Hi Subhash

You did a fine job with this lovely cascading waterfall. Although the waterfall is very
central in the image I am of the opinion that the composition is very successful. This
is because of the various degree of framing achieved from the vegetation visible on
the sides of the fall. I also like the fact that you show the different levels of the river
and the waterfall. Starting at the top where we see a bit of the stream leading to the
1st phase of the cascade and then the water plunge down to the little pool only to fall
down the 2nd stage of the cascade.

The lighting control was excellent. The fact that you had darkish foliage on either side
of the white churning water. If one is not careful to balance out the luminosity then you
might find that the plants tend to under expose and the agitating water tends to over
expose. You have achieved a fine balance. Photographing a water one also need to
consider how one want to reflect the fall. Sometimes it is better to have a faster shutter
speed thereby freezing the flow of the fall, but sometime one need to consider a longer
exposure to obtain a nice and smooth flow of water. With this cascade and parts of the
river and the pool showing I think the better choice was the faster shutter speed. The
reason for this opinion is that with a slow shutter you would have had one long blurred
mass of water from the top of the image throughout to the bottom where the water
finally disappeared out of sight. Therefore, it also would have had an effect on the level
of detail seen in the pool. It does remain a matter of taste after all.

Well done MF (even on auto) and TFS.
Regards
Loot

PS. Thanks for your visit and kind comments to my flying Impalas.

loot (10011) [2009-11-21 21:33]
Hi Paras

This lovely Golden Marguerite is trying its utmost to imitate the sun. A nice close-up
shot of this flower. You did a great job with the lighting control, because bright yellow
flower can be very problematic due to the fact that it tends to burn out very easily.
However, the majority of the petals on this flower and the entire crown show excellent
details and texture. The colour saturation is well balanced and the flower is beautifully
complimented by the OOF and dark BG.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

PS. Thanks for your visit and kind comments to my flying Impalas.

loot (10011) [2009-11-21 21:16]
Hi Ron

I cannot recall that I've ever seen this bird before, so thanks for the introduction.
It is a lovely, colourful little warbler with its grey head, white line above the eyes,
black streak through the eyes, yellow throat, and a combination of these colours
scattered over the rest of its body. The bird shows good detail, while the FG and
BG shows various degrees of isolation. Some might deem this a little distracting
especially the very bright green leaves in the FG, but seeing that it actually blends
in with the unimportant areas of the image it doesn't disturb the quality of the bird
at all. I don't know how large (or small) this bird featured on the original image, but
maybe you could try a slightly closer crop, especially at the bottom and at the right
hand side and that would remove some of those leaves.

Good effort though and TFS.
Regards
Loot

PS. Thanks for your visits and kind comments to my little spider & flying Impalas.

loot (10011) [2009-11-21 17:04]
Hi Erwin

This is an image of a rather rare carnivore to be seen in the iMfolozi Park. Although
collectively there might be quite a number of sightings each year, but I have seen
them only once in the 18 years I've been visiting the park, and that was in the Hluhluwe
region. I've seen quite a number of wild dogs in the Kruger though.

Old big ears gave you a lovely lazy pose for this shot. The details are so well defined
one can even see the muddy water, which it drank, still present on its tongue. The
composition could maybe have included a little more space at the top. Yes it is a road,
but because it is neutral it would not have been any distraction and it would have given
those big ears a wee bit space within the frame. I see you're getting a bit lazy with your
notes meneer (chuckle). I want to encourage you to keep up the good work. Share your
knowledge and experiences with us. That way we can all learn from one another.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

loot (10011) [2009-11-21 16:41]
Hi Deniz

On the thumbnail I could not see what this hidden beauty is. I received a pleasant
surprise once I opened it and discovered this little Terrapin between the slimy stuff.
A well deserved dedication to our friend Bayram. He has made a tremendous impact
and contribution to this site. His love of nature spills over into his love to share it with
us. A real dedicated teacher he is.

Well there's not much of the Terrapin to comment about, but at least that bit which
is sticking out is well captured with good detail and natural colour. The rest of the
image is package in a good composition which shows the main subject within its
water bound habitat.

Good work and TFS.
Regards
Loot

loot (10011) [2009-11-21 16:25]
Hi Umar

I have had a problem on TrekNature for a long time which nobody was
able to resolve yet. When I open certain postings, once it opened the frame and
it starts to load, then it suddenly disappears. Vamoose, gone, missing…
Unfortunately a lot of your postings, especially the later ones, do this so I cannot
critique them and therefore I've gone back to one of your earlier postings. We have
a number of Euphorbia species here in South Africa of which I have 3 different ones
in my garden. I just love them and I really found your note very interesting.

The specimen on your image stands out well in its natural habitat. The bright green
and yellow plant must be very distinctive in its surroundings. You have captured
lovely details and the colour tones are well balanced.

Good work and TFS.
Regards
Loot

loot (10011) [2009-11-21 16:08]
Hi Jacqueline

Firstly, thanks for visiting my flying Impalas.
I've gone back into your portfolio and I really like this shot. The waggling mother
Mallard, the cute little duckling, and the tiny flower in the foreground are all items
that gave the shot a lovely interest. The DOF was sufficient to capture good details
on both birds and the colours are natural.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

loot (10011) [2009-11-21 15:47]
Hi Arjun

With these LBJ’s one can never be sure, but I think it is the first time I see this little
one. The composition looks good with the thorny twigs delivering the bird to the far
right area of the image. Lighting control was also good and you've captured good
details of the dainty Bushchat.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

loot (10011) [2009-11-21 15:36]
Hi Luciano

A very moody and creative shot of these 2 Swans.
The combination of the partly shiny surface and partly dark area of the water
provided good contrast to compliment the birds. Good lighting control.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

loot (10011) [2009-11-21 4:59]
Hi Goldy

Radiantly beautiful. It makes the light shine into the world from my monitor. Seems
like this little Drone fly is not just there for the nectar or the pollen, but it almost look
like it's getting charged up with the energy from a brilliant source of light. ELO (The
Electric Light Orchestra) has a beautiful song called: "The Power Of A Million Lights"
and this image spontaneously made me think of that song. This photo as got "power"
and it most certainly has got "light". Need I say any more?

After my long absence on the site I'm busy taking a tour trough the portfolios of some
of the old acquaintances. It is quite noticeable how your photography and skills have
improved over time. Hard work, persistence, and the guidance received from many of
the members on this site surely did have a positive influence.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

PS. I'm a sucker for a good poem and your choice was impeccable.

loot (10011) [2009-11-21 4:41]
Hi Alexei

Ok, I know it is the white dove that is supposed to be the symbol of peace, but it
almost looks like this one is busy with an apprenticeship to qualify. Maybe then if
David Copperfield can turn it into a white pigeon it would then be able to meet the
required criteria. It seems to have the action and the notion with those wide spread
wings.

You managed to nail this one on the button. The high ISO setting awarded you with
an excellent result. That is because you could achieve a 1/2,000 second shutter
speed which is a definite necessity when shooting moving (and especially flying)
subjects. The lighting control was done with great skill as every bit of sharp detail
on this pigeon's under side is clearly visible. The square frame worked very well for
this composition.

Excellent work MF and TFS.
Regards
Loot

loot (10011) [2009-11-21 4:18]
Hi Ulla

We've had just as bad weather here for most of this past week. Flooding and wind
damage had taken its toll throughout the province. Previously I have spoken about
this too, but there is a definitive decline in birds, insects, and many other animals.
The earth is taking strain and meanwhile the politicians and the powers that be are
turning a blind eye or they just debate it to the n-th degree and not much are really
getting done about it.

Your little Tortoiseshell with the splash of purple flowers is quite pleasant. It shows
lovely colours and there are good details visible. The diagonal composition worked
well.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

loot (10011) [2009-11-21 3:44]
Hi Bayram

Oh me gosh, wow, wow, and wow. A magnificent posting in all aspects - from the
18+ red dot, to the symmetry, to the "adults only" activity, to the BG, to the colours,
to the composition, to the…no wait, I'm out of breath. It has it all; amusement, visual
impact, sex education with a XXX rating (you should remember this is supposed to
be a family friendly site, lol), entertainment value, plus of course a very high level of
skilled and competent photography.

Well done MF and TFS.
Regards
Loot

loot (10011) [2009-11-21 2:42]
Hi Rick

A great shot in familiar or natural environment for these two Bighorn Sheep. Seems
as if they are having such a casual stroll all along the cliff face like it is nothing more
then a walk in the park. Us humans need level territory though as the traction, which
was provided to us, is not nearly as functional on such angled slopes as what these
agile sheep have received.

A good composition with nice natural colours. I'm just wondering where you were
sitting, standing or hiding in order to get this lovely shot. Maybe you have some
secret high performance footwear that can take you place where others fear to tread.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

loot (10011) [2009-11-21 2:12]
Hi Pam

Mmmm, I think it might have been too long since I came around to your excellent
and exhaustive portfolio, but then again both of us were rather sporadic on the site
for quite some time. It is great to see one of your superb postings once again. The
lovely little Tui & the Flax almost seem to be synonymous. Somebody just better tell
this bird that it is supposed to appear all black (chuckle). It is ok if he doesn't know it
though as it probably won't bother him then. So, let's leave the All Blacks to be all
black and the rest of NZ may don whatever colours they fancy. You did an excellent
job to show us this bird in its amazing technicolour dream coat.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

loot (10011) [2009-11-21 1:50]
Hi Frog Dude

Wonderful it is, this first "small" step and the second "small" step shouldn't be that
difficult. The world and we here at TrekNature are holding our breath in anticipation.
Howard has already increased his steps and we are enjoying it all the way. So, what
say you? Seems like the ugly abdominal copyright monster have not devoured any
Trekkies as yet.

It is great to see this little frog. It's the same magic stuff I've appreciated so much in
the past and which I'm missing so much in the present. Looks like he was squinting
his eyes at you – maybe it was his way to try to tell you something (chuckle). Anyway,
you know this shot is technically superb, all in a class of its own. So, you don't need
me telling you that. Oops, I just did tell you that, but I'm sure you will believe me.

Great to see a posting from you MF and TFS.
Regards
Loot

loot (10011) [2009-11-20 20:14] - [workshop] [compare]
Hi Robin

Wow, pure magic. One day I will still get the opportunity to move in as close as this to one of these majestic birds and maybe get a shot like this. I am very jealous of this shot my friend. Humour me, because I know that you have gained great strides in you post processing abilities since the time when you posted this shot, but I did a quick workshop just to see if I could reduce the slightly smoky effect by increasing the density. Hope you don't mind.

Apart from that it is a great close-up portrait shot. I just love the highlight in the eye and the details show up nice and sharp. A wonderful study in this eagles facial features.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

loot (10011) [2009-11-20 19:25]
Hi Robin

I've done a bit of tracing back through your portfolio just to pick up on some of your
earlier postings. Already then you showed that you have a keen eye for a good shot
and that you make full use of the opportunities provided to you. This White-backed
Vulture proves the point. It's not often one gets the chance to capture this bird from
such a close range and then still have the bonus of such a fantastic pose. Eventually
the hidden female came to view too (thanks to your note).

The slightly bumped up ISO (at 400) afforded you the opportunity to push the aperture
to f/8 and still attain a shutter speed of 1/1250 of a second. This took care of the fine
details shown. The colours have a lovely natural quality and I like the little catchlight
in the eye. With the composition you might have included a little more sky above the
bird's head, but that is no train smash.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

PS. I really miss my old 170-500mm Sigma as my new 150-500mm OS Sigma and I
still have not made friends. The lens is very unsharp at the longer focal lengths. That
is why I was forced to make full use of the little Sony HX1 during my recent trip to the
Kruger. Luckily I got it just before we went on holiday otherwise I might have lost some
major quantity of wonderful opportunities.