The Importance of a Clean BG

[NorthernFocus]

Sometimes wildlife photography can be maddening. No matter how hard you work at it there are always the things outside your control that can ruin a shot. One of the most difficult is getting the creatures to cooperate and "pose" for the camera in front of a clean, complimentary BG.

Here is an example from a couple of summers back. We were shooting eagles fishing on Prince William Sound. Conditions were good, reasonably bright but flat lighting, calm wind, and a nice location with trees on a mountainside reflecting color on the water.

A couple of cooperative birds were actively fishing the area. This one came in for a pass at near ideal range. Everything was going just about perfect....



...right up to the critical moment of the strike. And a riffle of wind blew up the BG



Continuing to catalog files in LR and currently working on eagles. So may be posting a few more from the forgotten files...

[deetheturk]

More great captures Dan,i would be happy with just the windy one Keep them coming!

[chauncey]

Dan, I just responded to your series of "Eagle in flight", you can do PP. Why not just swap out the background? You do great work.

[FrankMi]

I am so riveted on the eagle's expression, pose, and detail that the soft background is irrelevant. You've got such great separation between the eagle and the background that I wouldn't be concerned about the state of the water.

[Shadowman]

Great sequence.

[rpcrowe]

I really lke #2 despite the frothy water (or maybe because of it)...

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the feedback, folks. I should have been a little more clear that what I don't like about the BG in the second image is the light/dark transitions caused by the different water surfaces. Ripply water is OK if it covers the BG. Though I always prefer the smooth water surface that provides color and/or reflection.

Unfortunately after that frame I lost focus on the bird and missed a couple of frames as it grabbed the fish But I did re-acquire in time to catch the bird looking back at me. I think it heard the camera shutter and turned its head to see what it was. In this one I can live with the ripples

[Geoff F]

Possibly a tighter crop, 5 x 4, square or an even tighter 4 x 5 ratio might help to reduce the disturbance of that windy water?

[Stagecoach]

Dan,

For me the background in No 2 is perfectly acceptable and does not detract in any way from the subject.

It's in it's natural habitat and I wonder if at time because we read in books about subject isolation we overlook that for some of us our brains can sort subject from non subject without aid.

Grahame

[NorthernFocus]

Dan,

For me the background in No 2 is perfectly acceptable and does not detract in any way from the subject.

It's in it's natural habitat and I wonder if at time because we read in books about subject isolation we overlook that for some of us our brains can sort subject from non subject without aid.

Grahame

Thanks, Grahame. I've always had the personality to question rules and conventions. Then again, most times they are there for a reason. Precisely why I posted these two images together. It's not about acceptability. It's about what's preferable. I doubt many would argue that the second bird position on the BG from the first image would have been preferable.

I suspect my progression up the learning curve of wildlife photography is similar to many other people. At first we're pleased just to get a shot of a new critter. Next we concentrate on getting the technicals down. Then composition, head position, etc. Lastly, and most difficult for me, is eliminating distracting and hopefully achieving a complimentary BG.

[Stagecoach]

I doubt many would argue that the second bird position on the BG from the first image would have been preferable.

Dan,

I think you should run a poll on that one with respect to that specific image, it would be interesting to see the result

Looking at it again I just feel the BG enhances this particular shot, but of course as always views will vary.

Grahame

[Colin Southern]

Sometimes wildlife photography can be maddening. No matter how hard you work at it there are always the things outside your control that can ruin a shot. One of the most difficult is getting the creatures to cooperate and "pose" for the camera in front of a clean, complimentary BG.

Here is an example from a couple of summers back. We were shooting eagles fishing on Prince William Sound. Conditions were good, reasonably bright but flat lighting, calm wind, and a nice location with trees on a mountainside reflecting color on the water.

A couple of cooperative birds were actively fishing the area. This one came in for a pass at near ideal range. Everything was going just about perfect....



...right up to the critical moment of the strike. And a riffle of wind blew up the BG



Continuing to catalog files in LR and currently working on eagles. So may be posting a few more from the forgotten files...

So, cheat a little

[IzzieK]

Don't be too hard on yourself. You seek perfection at all times I think even when the inevitable happened. Just toss those "inevitables" to learning experience. It tells you to breathe....breathe....calm yourself...then press that button!

Thanks, Grahame. I've always had the personality to question rules and conventions. Then again, most times they are there for a reason. Precisely why I posted these two images together. It's not about acceptability. It's about what's preferable. I doubt many would argue that the second bird position on the BG from the first image would have been preferable.

I suspect my progression up the learning curve of wildlife photography is similar to many other people. At first we're pleased just to get a shot of a new critter. Next we concentrate on getting the technicals down. Then composition, head position, etc. Lastly, and most difficult for me, is eliminating distracting and hopefully achieving a complimentary BG.

[Brownbear]

Thank you for sharing Dan... I'd be dancing in the streets if I managed any of these shots but I think it is wonderful that you are sharing your version of perfection, and that includes the perfect background... It helps me learn and see what to strive for.

Colin, that is some edit... Bird Art.. Not real, but jeez your talented.

Dan.... where do you find eagles diving for fish, instead of just sitting in a tree or a river (spawning season).... Is there a certain time of year that eagles hang about the rivers and dive for fish? Thank you.

[Donald]

I hugely admire and respect the fact that Dan sets the bar very high so far as standards are concerned. And anything less than that is not good enough.

That, I suggest, is why we see such stunning images from him. It's that striving for excellence that, I think, we all need to aspire to. That's the way to learn and improve.

[Colin Southern]

Colin, that is some edit... Bird Art.. Not real, but jeez your talented.

Thanks

... but it was just a quick select and 1 filter in Photoshop!

[Brownbear]

I'm still learning to sharpen properly and right now I'm trying to merge two exposures and it's not real or art like... Another thing to strive for.

Thanks

... but it was just a quick select and 1 filter in Photoshop!

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks, folks. And thank you, Donald, for the kind words. That was the point after all, working to prefect one's craft. Of course as a hobbiest, that's what it's all about.

Colin, the technology is not lost on me. And I don't struggle with any moral dilemma over doing so. But the OP was about field craft, not processing But since the topic is on the table. Did anyone notice how different the water color is in each shot? Something to keep in mind when shooting over water. The angle to the sun can make a huge difference in the appearance of the water.

... where do you find eagles diving for fish, instead of just sitting in a tree or a river (spawning season).... Is there a certain time of year that eagles hang about the rivers and dive for fish? Thank you.

Christina, the way that I do it is to find a nest on the bank of a pond, lake, seashore, etc, during the time that they are sitting on eggs and raising the chicks. They won't stray far from the nest until the chicks get pretty big and can defend themselves against crows and gulls. Both of the mated pair will fish close to the nest. It just takes patience to wait for them to dive on a fish. Where we are, that occurs in May/June. At that time the salmon aren't running yet so there are only small fish to catch and they have to hunt all day. Particularly after the chicks hatch they may have to catch a dozen small fish or more to feed the hungry babies. That provides plenty of opportunity for at least one or two passes to be within camera range. And if you set up well you at least get passing BIF shots as they leave and return to the nest.

[Brownbear]

Christina, the way that I do it is to find a nest on the bank of a pond, lake, seashore, etc, during the time that they are sitting on eggs and raising the chicks. They won't stray far from the nest until the chicks get pretty big and can defend themselves against crows and gulls. Both of the mated pair will fish close to the nest. It just takes patience to wait for them to dive on a fish. Where we are, that occurs in May/June. At that time the salmon aren't running yet so there are only small fish to catch and they have to hunt all day. Particularly after the chicks hatch they may have to catch a dozen small fish or more to feed the hungry babies. That provides plenty of opportunity for at least one or two passes to be within camera range. And if you set up well you at least get passing BIF shots as they leave and return to the nest

Thank you Dan... I will do some research on eagles in our area and their nesting times. Hopefully a few of them stay down here, if not well it will be a long interesting walk up north.

And thank you for pointing out the water. I didn't notice it but I do see it in all of my images, and the wind effect too.

[Colin Southern]

"Christina, the way that I do it is to find a nest on the bank of a pond, lake, seashore, etc, during the time that they are sitting on eggs and raising the chicks. They won't stray far from the nest until the chicks get pretty big and can defend themselves against crows and gulls. Both of the mated pair will fish close to the nest. It just takes patience to wait for them to dive on a fish. Where we are, that occurs in May/June. At that time the salmon aren't running yet so there are only small fish to catch and they have to hunt all day. Particularly after the chicks hatch they may have to catch a dozen small fish or more to feed the hungry babies. That provides plenty of opportunity for at least one or two passes to be within camera range. And if you set up well you at least get passing BIF shots as they leave and return to the nest"

Thank you Dan... I will do some research on eagles in our area and their nesting times. Hopefully a few of them stay down here, if not well it will be a long interesting walk up north.

And thank you for pointing out the water. I didn't notice it but I do see it in all of my images, and the wind effect too.

Hi Christina,

Could you please do the overworked mod-squad a favour? When you quote someones text, don't put it in speech marks - wrap it with quote tags instead, eg (without the spaces) [ q u o t e ] at the beginning and [ / q u o t e ] at the end