The Pensive Egret

[JohnC]

I finally purchased a birding lens. Nothing fancy but a Tamron 100-400 paired with a Nikon D7200. Something I can actually carry around and not hurt myself with it.

The lens showed up Thursday, I was out Friday, Saturday, and Sunday practicing. Uh, I'm gonna need a lot more practice. LoL!

But I did get some reasonably good shots now and then. This Egret was shot at Bolsa Chica Wetlands. After processing him in color I tried to get creative with something B&W. I've never thought to use a white vignette before but this photo seemed to work.

I give you........"I think, therefore I am".

 

[Ben Egbert]

ok Descartes I like it. That reflected ripple on the birds side is a nice touch, and the white vignette works well here.

 

[JohnC]

Thank you Ben.

 

[Jim Dockery]

The bird and reflection look good, but I don't care for the white vignette.

 

[JohnC]

Thanks for the feedback Jim.

 

[AlanLichty]

I love the bird and the reflection - great catch. I am torn over the white vignette - is it masking things around the borders of the visible scene? It does isolate the subject and the reflection quite well.

 

[JohnC]

I love the bird and the reflection - great catch. I am torn over the white vignette - is it masking things around the borders of the visible scene? It does isolate the subject and the reflection quite well.

Thanks Alan. No, the vignette was just like the dark ones, to draw your eye in to the center more. But in this case it obviously matched the subject color while contrasting the border around the subject (the water). Just something different that you don't usually see.

Here is the photo before the crop and vignette.

 

[AlanLichty]

I think the shot works well both ways. Definitely keep the crop in the first image - no reason to overstate open water. You do have some really symmetrical ripples from the egret's motions in the still water. They got cut off by the white vignette.

Really nice subject - calm water and an egret looking for lunch.

 

[JohnC]

I think the shot works well both ways. Definitely keep the crop in the first image - no reason to overstate open water. You do have some really symmetrical ripples from the egret's motions in the still water. They got cut off by the white vignette.

Really nice subject - calm water and an egret looking for lunch.

Thanks again Alan. Here's the crop without the vignette.

 

[dan swiger]

I think B&W was the perfect choice. Lot's of detail in the highlights & the theme is perfect

 

[JohnC]

Thanks Dan.

Since yesterday I tried removing some noise and was surprised how well I could achieve that while still maintaining good sharpness and clarity on the bird.

 

[JimFox]

Hey John, due to traveling I am a bit late to this one of yours. So it was fun to read and watch the progression of it. The last one is my favorite, like a few others I am not a fan of the white vignette. I do really like that vertical crop though, so the last one really works well to me.

It looks like you will have a fun new lens to use, and Bolsa Chica is a great place to use it at.

 

[JohnC]

Thanks Jim. I'm gonna have to start making more trips there. It's fun when you have a sporting chance to capture something.

 

[Beth]

love the last edit. the tight crop and no vignette is the winner for me. beautiful details and tones. and love the reflection!

 

[JohnC]

love the last edit. the tight crop and no vignette is the winner for me. beautiful details and tones. and love the reflection!

Thank you. That's my current favorite too.

 

[Joe Colozzo]

I guess I will be the rebel, I like the vignette. And I think it all works great together for a great image!

 

[JohnC]

Thanks Joe!