First Post: American Avocet

Posted by onewolf on Fri Dec 10, 2004 8:53 pm

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I got my first SLR this year and I have spent the year trying to soak up as much useable information as possible. I feel I've learned a great deal from this forum but I've basically been too scared to post anything because the other photos posted on this forum are so humbling. I have a long long way to go but this photo is one of the few I've taken that I am happy with the composition, focus, and exposure all at the same time.

Photo taken at Merritt Island NWR just after sunrise.

Canon 10D, 100-400mm @400, f5.6, 1/1500sec

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by Sandy Mossberg on Fri Dec 10, 2004 9:04 pm

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A lovely shot. The calm water provides a seamless integration between the real bird and the reflection.

I'd consider cropping from the right and a sliver below. Some might prefer a vertical, but I'm with you on the horizontal. Have you tried the shadow/highlight adjustment in PS/CS. That might help opening the shadows a wee bit and eliminating the few hot white areas.

Congratulations on this fine post. Don't be shy about letting us see more of your work.

Sandy Mossberg
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by Larry Kaufman on Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:13 pm

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Very nice composition, side lighting, and exposure - A worthy first post. Keep it up

- Larry

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by Harold Stiver on Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:30 pm

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Very calm aspect to this image. Nicely done.

Harold Stiver
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by Fabs Forns on Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:40 pm

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You are right in being proud of this!
Indeed a very nice image, the bird looks suspended, great effect!
Will be looking forward to more of your work

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by Alan Murphy on Sat Dec 11, 2004 12:09 am

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This is better than anything I have on this species. I like the breeding plumage, the calm water and the raised foot. Two things I would do to improved it are, take some off the top and bottom and go a bit brighter.

Welcome to NSN and thanks for posting. This is a very good image.

Alan Murphy
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by Tomasz on Sat Dec 11, 2004 1:24 am

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A very nice shot. I agree with Alan's crop suggestion.

Tomasz Popek

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by Kim Steininger on Sat Dec 11, 2004 7:01 am

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Ditto what Alan said. Very nice first post & I'll look forward to seeing more of your work!

Kim Steininger

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by Christopher Dodds on Sat Dec 11, 2004 10:21 am

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DittoIII what Alan said. Really nice.

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by Mpresti on Sat Dec 11, 2004 11:34 am

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Clean and elegant.
Maybe via S/H filter you could gain a bit more detail in the dark parts.

manuel
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by AForns on Sat Dec 11, 2004 1:21 pm

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Welcome to NSN Glad you decided to post !!! Very lovely image the calm water is great and like the reflection !!!!

Would consider Sandy's comment on cropping fully agree with it !!!!!

Congratulations on your beautiful image hoping to see more !!!!!!

Alfred Forns
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In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is.
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by Haim Ziv on Sun Dec 12, 2004 8:24 am

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Beautiful!!! love it.

[b][color=#0000FF]Haim Ziv - Birds & Wildlife Photography[/color].[/b]
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by Jeff Moore on Sun Dec 12, 2004 9:19 pm

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You most certainly should be happy with this one. It is excellent work. Look forward to more shots. Don't be so shy. Part of the reason for this forum is for instruction. You have already received some good tips on how to improve and that is why we are here.

Jeff Moore
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