Vulture Design

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Ganesh H Shankar
Vulture Design
Of late I am increasing finding it uncomfortable to use my 600mm f4 - no it is not for sale however :)
While using long tele (600mmf4) I tend to quickly get into comfort zone of making typical portraits and forget trying out something creative. While this one is again made using 600mm f4 lens, I consciously tried to design an image while staying far off from this Indian Vulture. Love to know your thoughts - particularly on composition. Thanks in advance..
Thu Nov 06, 2008 6:59 pm
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Ganesh H. Shankar
Wishing you best light,

Image
Fine Art Nature Photography


Ganesh H Shankar  Joined CNP On 24 Apr 2008    Total Image posts 973    -   Total Image Comments 7874    -   Image Post to Comment Ratio 1:8    -   Image Comment Density 38     -     Total Forum Posts 956

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Commentby nagraj on Thu Nov 06, 2008 7:54 pm

composition spot on, with the bird perfectly positioned, great texture on the rocks. the 'V' shape has given movement in the image. the neck and back of the vulture finely lighted but the rest of the portion (visible) is not going well with the image, that's the only distraction. a takeoff in this situation would have been great.

Commentby Nevil Zaveri on Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:02 pm

i am speechless, is all i can say, ganeshji.

regards.

ps. i tried hard but i cannot drop 'ji' at the end of your name.

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Image
http://www.nevilzaveri.com/

Commentby jayesh joshi on Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:50 pm

Loved everything.....placement of the bird,light,texture of the rock ....

Commentby Vijay Mohan Raj on Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:58 pm

The texture of the rocks and the placement of the bird makes it special. On a open area like Dhikala grasslands the 600 is a potent tool.

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A creative mind is a restless soul...

Commentby bradhill on Thu Nov 06, 2008 10:50 pm

Hello Ganesh,

I like the overall composition very much. In terms of framing/cropping the image I wouldn't change a thing. If the image were mine (I wish!), I would do some adjustment of local contrast - specifically I would try to make the vulture stand out even more from its background. To do this I would selectively darken (either in raw conversion or later in Photoshop) the dark rocks in the "V" in which the vulture is perched in front of. The change needn't be dramatic - perhaps .5 of a stop. I would not darken it to the point where no rock detail is visible - simply toned down a little more.

I hope this suggestion is not taken as criticism (it is an excellent image as is) nor that it is outside of the spirit of the forum. I personally don't mind anyone making changes such as this - to refuse to do so implies that our recording devices record colour and contrast perfectly, which is, of course, completely ludicrous.

On a lighter note: I have recently acquired the new VR version of the 600 f4. Beautiful lens and the VR dramatically extends the "range of useability". Like you, I have to constantly remind myself that it isn't just for close-ups and it can be a great tool for making stunning "animalscapes", like you have done here.

Cheers...

Brad

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Brad Hill
Natural Art Images
http://www.naturalart.ca

Exposing Nature's Art - For Conservation's Sake

Commentby Ganesh H Shankar on Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:09 am

Nagraj, I like your observation the 'V' shape has given movement in the image I must admit however that it is not by design and it did not occur to me. Now I see what you mean. Also, I have not understood part of the comment rest of the portion (visible) is not going well with the image - which visible portion you are talking about ? Rocks ? Sorry it is not clear to me.

Nevil, I am more comfortable if you address me as Ganesh - "ji"/"sir" is not necessary :) Honestly it makes me uncomfortable :) For those who don't know, in Indian culture (more so in northern part of India) people add "ji" at the end of the name to show respect.

VMR, agree with you about potential of 600mm F4 in grassland. Off late my comfort level of using it has gone down ! It is very easy to slip into comfort zone with these long teles.

Brad, I agree with your observation that we will never be able to faithfully reproduce relative differences
in tonal values. Criticism ? not at all. Thanks for your suggestions. I would love to have as many constructive criticism/views like you did here as possible. Purpose of this forum to learn from others views. In my own views/critics in this forum I try to identify strengths as I see and improvement opportunities again as I see them. Though Wow, I like it kind of short views may give some momentory gratification it does nothing for us to grow as photographers - just my humble views. I have always liked your expressive at the same time very constructive views on NPN (and now here). Congrats on your new aquisition! You are right it can be used to make some great animal scapes.

Thank you all friends for your views..

--
Ganesh H. Shankar
Wishing you best light,

Image
Fine Art Nature Photography



» Last edited by Ganesh H Shankar on Fri Nov 07, 2008 11:55 am; edited 3 times in total

Commentby Sriharsha Ganjam on Fri Nov 07, 2008 11:54 am

Ganesh, its a brilliant image. The composition and the texture have all been talked about, and are very very true. My favorite aspect of the image is the catch light which takes the image from being "brilliant" to "outstanding". Sometimes I am more appealed by such minute characteristics which bring the image into "life". This was also the case of the recent frog shadow image posted by VMR, where the shadow of the fingers on the frog propelled the image to greatness. As you would say, its surprising how our mind tends to like images better when there is something in the image with which we can relate to, no matter how minute it is on the frame. Kudos sir!

Commentby Pramod Viswanath on Fri Nov 07, 2008 12:12 pm

This is one of the best images in your quiver. Harsha stole my words - catch light makes this image for me. Composition is impeccable and I have always admired the way you creatively use the frame space. Texture of the rocks complement the vulture's head position.

PS: Only statement of yours that reminds me when ever I see this image is, as you always say - "I don't believe in VR/IS"! This image proves your point.

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Pramod Viswanath
Frames from wild | My Blog
Our only limitation is imagination !

Commentby S CHANDRASHEKAR on Fri Nov 07, 2008 4:44 pm

very nice composition, l like the way light falls on the rock showing texture and also bird has been lit up aptly.tfs

Commentby Nilanjan Das on Sat Nov 08, 2008 8:22 am

Dear Ganesh, The composition is very good. If I am looking at an image showing life in rock , I would rate it very high. I understand you were not making a plain vulture portrait here. Just asking, could we have an improved view on flipping the image ? Do you think the impact might just be enhanced on the vulture getting to the left side? Speculating here :).

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Nilanjan Das Photography


» Last edited by Nilanjan Das on Sat Nov 08, 2008 8:22 am; edited 1 time in total