First post example. Oyster catchers.

Urban Turban

My first post.

I've joined after observing peoples positive and constructive posts running through the threads when critiquing.

So here's one to give up to your good selves. Oyster Catchers skimming the shore waves whilst panning the camera. Processed using CS4, Nik and a few tins of French beer.

Ric Grupe

Just a bit chaotic for my taste.

I want to like it...but there doesn't seem to be anything to grab hold of...if that makes any sense.

Motion blur would be fine...but I don't see a direction.

Anyhoo...welcome! D

Urban Turban

Thank you Ric. I'm unsure hence why I've posted it. There's no motion blur in it if that's what you meant, but it has been heavily processed as you can see. It looks better A3 but I'm still with you, I just can't nail it.

I did sharpen that one before uploading. Here's the original processed file.

Is that more towards or does the composition itself still not grab?

Icebear

I like it. I think it has a certain dreaminess to it that most shore bird images lack. French beer though . . . That might 'splain the certain aimlessness and general overall lack of je ne sais qua that Ric was bothered by.

Welcome to DGrin.

Urban Turban

Thank you Bear. I'm not into wildlife photography myself but enjoyed taking this shot panning the camera. My issue with wildlife photography is that they should be so pin sharp and a representative shot of the breed in question, but I have no interest in that. Photography is an art form and not a predictive encyclopaedia of constraints and hence why I shy away from the norm. Not saying that I'm right, just my thoughts. Thank you.

Once you've tasted French beer you can forget the German or Czec variety

jackiejay

I kinda like it its diff welcome to the forum:)

Coati

Hi

It's to your credit you posted this image; it's different , well executed and I like it.
Portrays the flock and a very real sense of motion very well

Rich

Harryb

I like it. It reminds me of the work of Robert Amoruso over at birdphotographers.net . If anybody's interested in the technique Arthur Morris and Denise Ippolito have a book on the subject.

You can see a small excerpt here.

Urban Turban

Well I had to come back to you guys and not only thank you but give you a result.

I really did appreciate the comments on the picture having motion and is just what I was hoping to receive. Like said before, I'm just not of-fay with the standard representative breed shot.

What you never knew is that I wanted to enter it into a local competition and wasn't sure how it would do and to make things worse I was the current trophy holder. I'd spoken with a good friend and judge on this image and he summarized the same as I had imagined, its not a representative shot of the breed but what the hey, give it a go.

Next I came to you guys and dropped it here. Great replies and appreciated more than you could know. I then decided to enter it into the colour section last night (R2880 CIS printed but shop mounted) where it came joint third out of apx 80-100 colour images.

This just goes to prove that we must go with gut instinct with our work. What turned out even better was that although I never took the trophy back home my closest imaging buddy did. The evening couldn't have turned out any better had I wished.

Thank you for taking the time to reply guys. I'll not only be sticking around to enjoy your constructive criticism but to hopefully contribute.

Thank you.

UT

jackiejay

Way to GO!!!!Im so happy you entered and placed....:)