Calm enough to think Composition

[terrib]

You guys didn't like the reflections in my last post of the Snow Goose, although I found them interesting. These are not perfect, but maybe acceptable.

I am finally beginning to get enough shots under my belt to not get so excited at the mere prospect that I lose my ability to think. This heron was kind enough to stay put long enough for me to actually compose the shot. And even though he was close enough, I resisted the closeup and went for a little surroundings. Other than a little straightening, this composition is as shot.

I'm pleased with this one. I like the light, the reflections and the focus on the eye. It's minor to me, but if I could reshoot, I'd increase the DOF to get the back of the head in focus too. My excuse is that I'm not used to being this close so I thought 7.1 was enough. Might have to actually use that DOF calculator app! Of course that would require me being able to estimate distances...

Great Blue Heron, Hagerman NWR.

[Brownbear]

its a beautiful photo, gorgeous!

[deetheturk]

Great capture Terri,the only thing I might be tempted to do is take a little bit of the right side

[Donald]

I am finally beginning to get enough shots under my belt to not get so excited at the mere prospect that I lose my ability to think.

And that, I suggest, heralds a huge step along the learning curve. That's why so many people just keep on repeating the mantra - "Practice, practice, practice." It's that practice that gets you to the point you've now reached. Congratulations.

[gofer1971]

A cracking shot Terri! I really like it!

[Bobobird]

Excellent shot Terri. You could flip the image and we would have a hard time telling. Oh! is this flipped?

One thing this shot does show that you have acquired something very important - patience.

[Nancy Moran G]

Excellent shot. I know what you mean about actually thinking first, shoot with some knowledge. I still have to think about settings, but getting better.
Nancy

[Shadowman]

Bird and patterns make for a nice shot.

[mknittle]

Very nice Terri,

[terrib]

Excellent shot. I know what you mean about actually thinking first, shoot with some knowledge. I still have to think about settings, but getting better.
Nancy

Thank you, everyone for you kind comments.

Nancy, I still have a BAD habit of not seeing the settings in my viewfinder which really shouldn't happen with as much experience as I have. My next goal is to be able to tell you what the settings were if you asked me right after I took the shot.

[jamn4ex]

Yes taking the time to compose this shot wwas well worth it.

[terrib]

And that, I suggest, heralds a huge step along the learning curve. That's why so many people just keep on repeating the mantra - "Practice, practice, practice." It's that practice that gets you to the point you've now reached. Congratulations.

Donald, you are so right. Practice, practice, practice has so much impact. But with me and wildlife, its "record I saw one, record I saw one, record I saw one and NOW "make a beautiful image of one". I've got lots of Great Blue Heron shots but I'm afraid that if I saw a cougar I'd revert back to Record it! Record it!!

But I'm ok with that. It's all good. I'm enjoying it all!

[Dave Humphries]

Nice shot.

I find a couple of deep breaths can help calm myself

One thing I have learnt Terri, when shooting this kind of scene, is to shoot several shots (e.g. in burst mode).

When reviewing, you will usually find one has a significantly 'better' reflection, due to positioning of tiny waves/swells in relation to the bird.

[Rita]

Donald, you are so right. Practice, practice, practice has so much impact. But with me and wildlife, its "record I saw one, record I saw one, record I saw one and NOW "make a beautiful image of one". I've got lots of Great Blue Heron shots but I'm afraid that if I saw a cougar I'd revert back to Record it! Record it!!

But I'm ok with that. It's all good. I'm enjoying it all!

Beautiful & serene image Teri.

I can't wait for the rain to stop here so that I can practice some more on birds. Afraid I am still at the point of, as you say, record it

[IzzieK]

Love it Terri. You've nailed this one right!

[Manfred M]

Bedraggled looking bird amongst some bedraggled looking plants in a perfectly mirrored setting.

Wow! It works really well. What more can one say?

[Stagecoach]

Now that is different and unusual, well done Terri.

Grahame

[Downrigger]

Just great. A real beauty.

It's a struggle, I know. I'm still at the stage where often, once the moment passes, I ask myself: good grief, what did I have exposure compensation set on for that shot!

[Wavelength]

WOW, a Terri-ble stuff indeed

[Mike Buckley]

I really like the environmental feel.

I am finally beginning to get enough shots under my belt to not get so excited at the mere prospect that I lose my ability to think.

That's great! On the other hand, it is wonderful to be able to experience and photograph scenes that are so beautiful that they excite you so much.