Free in the wind

[Bobobird]

Trumpeter swans in flight.

Pretty bland compared to what Joe, Paul, Steve, and others are posting but that is all I have reasonable access to atm. Maybe when the -30c or lower subside a bit. Not so much the cold that is an issue but the winds.

Hope you like.

1.


2.


3.


4.

[Daisy Mae]

What a wonderful set Bobo.

I would have no hesitation on putting no.3 on my wall, I could look at it all day.Special.

[jprzybyla]

Beautiful swans Bobo, nice series. I am surprised they stay with the cold. A long time ago I rescued a Mute Swan that stayed too long and was trapped by ice. People across the road from the lake kept is all winter in a shed.

[Bobobird]

Thanks Sharon. Never thought of print.
Come to think of it, it should look good as one.

Thanks Joe.
That was my understanding too until I saw these. Apparently some do stay around. This particular herd is about 25-30 in size and there are also a couple of mute swans in the vicinity. Perhaps this is the only place that has them as no one else around these parts has reported other locations.

There was an "escapee" black swan about 2 weeks ago and I was going to its reported location. Unfortunately he did not make it and has moved to bird heaven.

[jeeperman]

I too rather like #3, nicely done.

[PRSearls]

These are very nice. Number three really shows the swan's gracefulness and beautiful wing feathers. I like your framing. Good job. We have a few mute swans in our area but I've never seen them fly.

Paul S

[Mike Buckley]

#3 is so delicate. Very nice! Consider converting to black-and-white using little to no contrast.

[Bobobird]

Thanks Paul, Paul, and Mike.

B/w was another thing that escaped me. Lots of stuff escaping it seems.

Something like this or a hint darker?

[Mike Buckley]

For me, this is the most artistic stuff I've seen coming from your camera despite that you already had set a very high bar to hurdle.

Once you get to this level of nuance, it really depends entirely on the look you are going for; nobody in my mind can criticize it for being "wrong" or lacking informed, artistic judgement even though there are other directions you can go with it.

Personally, I like this a lot. You might want to bring out the detail in the far wing tip just a bit, as parts of it are lost in the background.

[jeeperman]

I will +1 to what Mike has posted. Wonderful conversion.

[jamn4ex]

Wow Bobo that bw conv. looks great! Nice series I dont see them( Trumpeters) around my parts, although a friend of mine says we have em around. Maybe when the weather warms I will get him to take me to some. I would love to get a chance to shoot some. Until then I will just enjoy yours.

[ShaneS]

Bobo, your mono version is simply wonderfull - I am blown away! Congratulations on making such a beautiful image.

[Plumcrak]

I think your conversion enhances the elegance of the swan. Now look at photo #2, at the second swan from the right...I don't see elegance in this one, it looks as if it is coming in for a crash landing while the others are in total control.

[Bobobird]

Thanks Mike, Paul, James, Shane, Jon for your time and valuable input.

@Jon.
Not elegant eh? I will give you one ....



About the b/w - I have redone #3 from scratch and present the latest for c&c. One without border. The one with the border is how I would like to have it printed but am open to suggestions since I do not print often.

Thanks for additional input.

#3b


#3b - framed

[Mike Buckley]

You did a great job of bringing back the far wingtip. Try making just the beak and legs a little bit darker just to see if you like that direction. (I tried it quickly and liked it.)

I have never seen a print made with a "virtual" mat or frame and I don't have enough imagination to know whether I would like it without first seeing it. Sorry that I'm no help with that.

[Bobobird]

Thanks Mike.

Now ? I think probably #3d.

#3c


#3d

[jeeperman]

I like 3d, Bobo. Well done.

[zen]

3b framed is phenomenal!

Zen

[Jack R Mann]

Great set bobo. I too like #3

[Mike Buckley]

I think probably #3d.

Definitely works best for me.