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Whew, just missed those darn thorns! (PAW 5/32)
Whew, just missed those darn thorns! (PAW 5/32)
HarveyG


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Camera: Nikon D90
Lens: Sigma 100-300mm F/4.0 EX IF HSM for Nikon
Location: the Bushveld, South Africa
Aperture: 6.3
ISO: 800
Shutter: 1/2500
Galleries: Nature, Birds
Date Uploaded: Jan 30, 2012

Viewed: 310
Comments: 10
Favorites: 0

 Red-breasted Swallow (Hirundo semirufa)

There's a misconception about bird photography; that it's easy. Park off and wait right? Granted, some species just sit for you no matter what and no doubt that's why the web is riddled with pigeon and seagull images. Then there are those that sit less than they fly. The Swallow is one of those birds and when it does sit, it fidgets. Unfortunately this image does not tell that story. So you have to convey something else in the shot to make it at least interesting, like singing. Smooth backgrounds, catch-light (from the Sun) and crisp subjects are equally important.

On DPC this would get a 5.2...maybe. Personally I'd give it a 7 which takes into account technicals. Knowing I sat in a switched off car (thus no aircon and no disturbance to the bird) for 30-40 minutes in the belting African sun in a game reserve 6 hours from where I live...and a skew neck and dead arms, and knowing the traits of this species, maybe an 8 :) but I'm biased. This species is also not an 'urbanite', you have to travel miles into the bush to spot it.

for Photograph a Week 2012

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AuthorThread
 02/16/2012 08:39:14 AM
WOW! Your bird shots are amazing. Thanks to this side challenge I think i might try some bird shooting. (with camera that is!) :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/06/2012 07:49:08 PM
brilliant light and focus - well done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/02/2012 02:37:10 PM
Really well done. Just fantastic.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/01/2012 10:48:29 PM
Not much to be said about this, HarveyG, except that "you nailed it!"
remarkable. well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/01/2012 02:07:36 PM
Well I think its a lovely shot with excellent timing
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/31/2012 01:27:50 PM
Originally posted by pamb:
...Is this full frame or cropped to this?...

I cannot tell a lie, I shot it composed to the right to do that with the tail feathers having PP in mind at time of shot :) It was cropped to align it perfectly in the corner. I'd not advise you to try shoot like this as it leaves you no leverage in PP. Magazine's allow cropping and sharpening, even NG.
 01/31/2012 09:59:54 AM
Oh MAN! No way is bird photography easy! This is fabulous. Is this full frame or cropped to this? Cause if this is sooc as this composition, I'll be sooooo envious/annoyed/impressed!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/31/2012 09:45:06 AM
A lovely shot! This little guy has a lot of character. The colors work really well together, too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/31/2012 02:27:28 AM
Beautiful shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/30/2012 04:50:04 PM
excellent focus and bokeh (and I can hear that chirp sound you captured!)
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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