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This Photo Session is Over


This Photo Session is Over
Photo Information
Copyright: John Plumb (JPlumb) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 618 W: 158 N: 896] (2904)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-06-11
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D200, NIKKOR AF-S 18-200mm F3.5-5.6 ED DX VR, Optex 77mm Circular Polariser
Exposure: f/8, 1/500 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-02-26 19:39
Viewed: 4038
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is another shot of the female Darter (Anhinga melanogaster) that I posted previously. In this shot you can see her just entering the water; evidently she had had enough of our photo session. In any case, take a look at her tail. In my research on these birds I found that the spreading of the tail like this is typical. They will spread it to create a shade that fish will actually swim under, enabling easier capture of their prey. The American Darter (Anhinga anhinga), a close cousin has even gained the additional nickname of Water Turkey because of this feature.

Some of this from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anhinga and http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/finder/display.cfm?id=196
ID from: Simpson K. and Day N. (2004), Field Guide to the Birds of Australia, Penguin Books, Camberwell

This was one of several shots I got of this lady on Iron Cove in Sydney. It was shot in June (our winter here). Normally when I shoot a bird I will attempt to not disturb it. In this case I obviously got too close. She got tired of me, and took to the water. One more shot after this one then we’ll give Darters a rest for a while.

Workflow for this shot was as follows:
The shoot – shot in Raw with Jpeg reference (32 mm ISO 400 f8 1/500)
NEF file adjusted for exposure and shadow, and vignetting
Adjusted levels – black points - minimal
Adjusted curves for contrast – minimal s-curve
Burned and Dodged with overlay layer (5-10% opacity black and white brush)
Added saturation layer +13 to master
Saved as a tiff
for this post cropped for position (including capture of shadow), resized, selected on water and reduced noise - created a new layer, inversed selection, sharpened bird and rock, framed and saved as a jpeg
rcrick, angela926, Mariol, pablominto, timonejoon, horia, waylim, vanderschelden, jusninasirun, Adanac, mlines, pierrefonds, uleko has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To horia: Not Quite the EndJPlumb 1 02-27 14:03
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi John,
Great image mate, love the diagonal lines on this with the water and the rocks, excellent detail in the feathers of the Darter, love the lighting on the wings too just beautiful, well framed, Cheers Rick :)

Hello John,
Excellent composition and point of view, superb sharpness and good depth of field, beautiful natural colors and nice light, fantastic pose!well done!
Angela

  • Great 
  • Mariol Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 160 W: 15 N: 1654] (8221)
  • [2008-02-26 20:18]

Hi John,
Nice action picture of this interesting bird with good natural colors and interesting play of light and shadows. TFS
Regards, Mario

Superbe, grandiose, quel POV on lui voit même les pattes dans l'eau, il est très imposant avec ses aile ouvertes.
Bravo
Marie

Hello John,
Good angle of light makes the bird really stand out in this fine image!
Interesting shadow play and fine diagonal composition, sharp fine details in the bird...
Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
  • [2008-02-26 23:38]

Hi John

Another superb shot of the Darter - excellent POV with wonderful detail, well handled exposure and great colour.

TFS

James

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2158 W: 224 N: 4749] (16656)
  • [2008-02-27 4:37]
  • [+]

Hi John

All good things come to an end, huh? :(
Still, you managed a very beautiful series of shots with this great darter...you should be happy about them :)
This one is great, too and i particularly like the tail in this one...i somehow never imagined it would be so big.
Very beautiful pose captured and i like the composition here, too - with the nice long shadow spreading on the entire length of the frame.
Very well done!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

Hey John,
I love the composition of this one. You left a generous space to the right of the bird showing the nice water background. Excellent handle on the light and great detail overall especially the feather. I like the natural colors, not overly manipulated on photo editing program. Something to consider, watch out for diagonal line ending at the corner, in this case it is not to obvious. Thanks for sharing.
Way

Hello John,
Very good composition. Well done.
TFS
Annick

Hello John,

Excellent delivery here with the tail in the water. You have anchored the image brilliantly capturing the full shadow of the spreading wings. The sharpness and details are well observed and superb framing, as always.

Interesting note about the spreading tail. Looks like an intelligent species to survive in that manner.

Regards,
Jusni

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1273 W: 1 N: 6188] (21378)
  • [2008-02-27 18:16]

Hello John,
Very well captured launch, the composition, details and colrs are all great. I like the fact we can see the spread tail underwater. Excellent job my friend.
Rick

Hi John

That long tale is suprising for me as well, i never saw it before!! nice shot with good composition. sorry for delay.
well done
TFS
Babak

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1393 W: 119 N: 5267] (23955)
  • [2008-02-28 4:35]

Great moment John! Well done on that shot of the Darter taken at the right moment. The pose is nice, the sharpness is great and the composition is very well done, thanks!

Mario

Hi John! Thanks for comment on my misty forest! I see you like to catch birds during their daily routines ;-) You hav an excellent collection! Also this one is intresting. N
Very natural with good colors balance. Wings of that bird looks just fascinating!
TFS,
Clara

  • Great 
  • mlines Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 556 W: 26 N: 668] (3116)
  • [2008-02-29 18:44]

Hi John, Well cropped and clear capture of this elegant bird. Your reflexes are very good to get this moment. It may be on the edge of Canada Bay. Good series. TFS. Murray.

Hi John,

A good capture of the female darter getting ready to leave. The subject is well framed. I like the view which is showing the details and colors of the feathers. Well done, have a nice day.

Pierre

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2008-03-05 2:26]

Hello John,
Excellent capture of this Darter taking off in beautiful light. Fine sharp focus and beautiful colours against the dark water. The wings look really lovely. Very well composed too.
TFS, Ulla

Preciosa captura en oportuno momento. Naturalidad en los colores y un buen encuadre.
Un abrazo John: J. Ignasi

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