Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Resting peeps

Group shots of shorebirds can be challenging, as you need to find an interesting subject to frame, and also a pleasing formation of birds to make up the rest of the image. Here are two shots that I haven't decided yet where I stand with them -- they both had potential, but also have some flaws.

Resting peeps -- Pat Ulrich Wildlife and Nature Photography

In the first shot, I like how the birds are arranged and overall I like the composition. However, the front-most western sandpiper is just outside of the focus, which can be a bit distracting compared to the sharp sanderling that is the focal point for my eyes.

Resting sandpipers -- Pat Ulrich Wildlife and Nature Photography

For the second shot I changed the apeture to increase the depth of field (f/8 to f/11) so that the front western sandpiper is now in focus enough to be less of a distraction. However, I don't quite like the arrangement of the birds as much from this vantage point. I do like the depth provided by the crowd in the background of this shot, though.

What do you think?


Submitted as part of the World Bird Wednesday blog meme -- Follow the link to check out the entries for this week!
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11 comments:

  1. LukaszDolowyJanuary 12, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    Amazing shot! We invite you to add it to our Wildlife Map @ http://yourwildlifestories.com Thanks!

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  2. PescaluneJanuary 12, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    Always great to see your shorebird pictures - and sorry ... not able to choose :))

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  3. mickJanuary 12, 2011 at 3:10 PM

    I photograph lots of shorebirds so it was really great to read your expert comments on photographing them. Thanks!

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  4. SpringmanJanuary 12, 2011 at 3:46 PM

    I think I might be overjoyed with either. The focal bird in the first frame has its eyes open and that rivets my eye to him more than the focus. On the second, with the micro correction you made to focus the larger, lighter colored bird and the fact that the second bird has its eyes shut makes for the best compromise. IMHO
    The perspective and DOF on my turkey shot on WBW is a tribute to my fascination and infatuation with your art.
    By the way, maybe I missed a post but have you herd from NG? ;-)WBW

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  5. theconstantwalkerJanuary 12, 2011 at 4:43 PM

    Both are lovely images.You have inspired me to lie down to take photographs.

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  6. UnknownJanuary 12, 2011 at 6:44 PM

    Both great!! But I think I like the second best. Boom & Gary of The Vermilon River, Canada.

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  7. LarryJanuary 13, 2011 at 12:24 AM

    Both excellent shots Pat. I like the second one best because my eye is drawn to the Sanderling and I find the darker bird in front of it distracting in the first image.

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  8. Pat UlrichJanuary 13, 2011 at 12:36 AM

    Thanks everyone for your kind words!

    @Springman: I really like your turkey shot, the low angle and setting were great! As for NG, if you're referring to the contest, they did announce the winning photo, and you can see it here -- the Viewer's Choice is the last one listed. I still think its pretty cool to have an image on their site, though! Thanks again to everyone that voted!

    @theconstantwalker: Glad to hear you're inspired to go prone -- that's really the only way to photograph birds on the ground. The images are much more intimate when you are at eye level. There are technical reasons to do it too. Since you're shooting straight at the bird, as opposed to an angle from standing height, the film plane/digital sensor is more parallel to the subject, meaning that you can get more of the bird in focus (ie, sharp). I felt funny laying down on the ground in public at first, but its totally worth it!

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  9. holdingmomentsJanuary 13, 2011 at 1:13 AM

    Both are excellent shots Pat.
    For me, I think I'd choose the second picture, then crop the white sky, down to the birds in the background. A second crop from the right, close to the Western Sandpiper. A tighter shot, and concentrates the eye on the rhs bird. :)

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  10. Pat UlrichJanuary 15, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    Thanks for your suggestions, holdingmoments!

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  11. AnonymousJanuary 20, 2011 at 1:52 PM

    I vote the shallower depth of field. I think it adds more pop to the larger peep. Sharpness I couldn't tell at this size. I'll trust your judgment there.

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