Some Birds from Nevada

Rohirrim

Even though much of Nevada is a Desert we do have some wetlands. These are some pictures of some Birds in the Washoe Lake area just North of Reno. I hope you enjoy them.



Two American Avocets looking for breakfast. And below a little closer shot.



A Common Snipe (yes Snipe really do exist :rolleyes)




And from up the Road a Gambels Quail (more towards the Desert side)



Please feel free to comment on my technique. All images taken with a Canon Digital Rebel with the Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.5/5.6L lense. The first 2 taken as RAW images.

GREAPER

Excellent captures. All very nice birds and all new to me.

You might want to consider the compositions. They are for the most part, all centered (particularly the last two) which can be kind of static. Perhaps a crop to put them on a thirds, or imply action. Just some thoughts.

I am looking forward to see more.

Rohirrim

GREAPER wrote:

Perhaps a crop to put them on a thirds, or imply action.

Thank you for the input. I have a hard time composing in thirds when there is not much else in the field of view. For example I recropped the pic of the Quail



I think this gives the impression the Quail is looking at something, but then again there is so much "empty" picture. Do you think this is better than the Center crop? Or would you compose it differently?

Thanks for the input

Lucky Hack

Rohirrim wrote:

A Common Snipe (yes Snipe really do exist )

They're all great, but man, I absolutely love the light in this one, you can see the suns reflection of the ripples in the bird! Great captures.

hoping this message finds you well -Ian

GREAPER

Rohirrim wrote:

Thank you for the input. I have a hard time composing in thirds when there is not much else in the field of view. For example I recropped the pic of the Quail



I think this gives the impression the Quail is looking at something, but then again there is so much "empty" picture. Do you think this is better than the Center crop? Or would you compose it differently?

Thanks for the input

I would like to hear what others think as well, but yes, I think it's better. The bird is looking into the frame. The open space helps establish environment and the layout is more natural to my eye.

In the original, you look at the bird and then your eye has no where to go. I like that you flipped it as well. It seems more natural to my eye reading left to right.

ginger_55

I love those brown headed birds, especially the one with the one bird and reflection.

As to composition. I hate to say that I use center placement, too. Sometimes I like it, and sometimes I am just not thinking. I tend to focus on it in the center, if I don't move my camera, and I use the whole photo, it stays in the center, and that is not usually good.

Everyone here goes on and on about the rule of thirds, since I have seen very good center placement and would like to do it, the emphasis on thirds annoys me. There are other compositions. One being the S curve. That works in the center sometimes........that is what it is for. It is not static, like a telephone pole, but it is in the center and kind of flows. There are other rules, too, some of which I have forgotten.

With your bird, since he is looking sideways, I do think it helps to give him something to look into. Whether that is exactly 2/3s, I don't know. Looking at your two shots, I do like that open space. I don't know that you need that much, I haven't messed with it, but I do think the open space is not wasted, it gives the bird room to look......

ginger

Steve Cavigliano

Steve,

These are all very nice

The Avocet shots are extremely nice (love the reflections ) I really like the quail shot too and just wish you could have gotten closer (I know, they are shy and skittish, but one can wish right?...lol) and that those darn branches weren't obscuring the lower part of it's body.

Lovely set though. Good work!!


Steve

Harryb

Rohirrim wrote:

Thank you for the input. I have a hard time composing in thirds when there is not much else in the field of view. For example I recropped the pic of the Quail

I think this gives the impression the Quail is looking at something, but then again there is so much "empty" picture. Do you think this is better than the Center crop? Or would you compose it differently?

Thanks for the input

Hey Steve,

Excellent series of shots. Your crop and flip of the quail shot is a big, big improvement. I have to keep reminding myself not to center my subject when I'm out in the field. Its easier trying to compose the shot that way than to crop in your post work.

bfjr

The cropped Quail
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