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Thread: Another Weekend on Prince William Sound

  1. #1

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    Another Weekend on Prince William Sound

    We are really having a warm, dry summer thus far in Alaska. Very welcome after several cold, wet ones. This was another beautiful weekend on Prince William Sound. We did some fishing, hiking, etc. and a bit less photography this trip. But did manage a few shots.

    This is a shot of the mirage phenomenon known as "fata morgana" which typically occurs over snow or cold water. A temperature inversion is necessary for this effect. As you can see near the horizon line distant objects appear inverted similar to a true reflection. Also some objects like the rocks in this image appear to float. This shot was made with a 300mm lens plus 1.4x extender in order to flatten the perspective and make the mountains appear much closer than the actual 40 miles distant. Plus it is the lens that was already on the camera in case of wildlife encounters . Contrast on the mountains was selectively increased to reduce the haze effect but I fear it may be a bit overdone. Thoughts?

    Another Weekend on Prince William Sound

    There was an active eagle nest near where we anchored Saturday night. We managed to witness one fishing pass within decent shooting range.

    Nikon D800E, 300mm f4 w/1.4x TC
    f/7.1 @ 420 mm, 1/2500, ISO 500

    Inbound from the perch. On this shot I used some of the PP techniques offered as feedback to one of my previous posts. This one isn't backlit like that one but there was a similar dark BG that the bird did not stand out against pre-PP.

    Another Weekend on Prince William Sound

    Less than the ideal angle but a nice full extesion.

    Another Weekend on Prince William Sound

  2. #2

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    Re: Another Weekend on Prince William Sound

    Been away a while and come back to this. Wow!

    Great eagle shots. Particularly the energy/power in the 2nd one.

  3. #3
    dje's Avatar
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    Re: Another Weekend on Prince William Sound

    Very good set of shots Dan.

    In the first, your treatment of the mountains looks fine to me. It's a very pleasing scene and is well captured with the telephoto lens. That's an interesting mirage effect - never heard of it before.

    With the second, you've got excellent clarity and the light is very good.

    That's a good candid capture in three also.

    Wish I had places like that to spend the weekend!

    Dave

  4. #4

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    Re: Another Weekend on Prince William Sound

    The mountains look fine. Thanks for explaining and showing fata morgana, as I had never heard of it.

  5. #5

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    Re: Another Weekend on Prince William Sound

    Thanks, guys. Glad you enjoyed the post.

  6. #6
    Ken Curtis's Avatar
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    Re: Another Weekend on Prince William Sound

    Hi Dan. My wife and I just got back from Alaska, and what a beautiful place as your shot prove.

    You did a nice job of cutting the haze in #1. Question, was the light halo effect just above the horizon actually there, or is it light from post processing? In any case, the image is well composed.

    The eagle in #2 is a terrific capture. I can plainly see him and the background is not distracting. The bird is clear and the background blurred, which helps.

    I give the eagle in #3 a 5.9 out of 6 based on his form. I give you a 6 out of 6 for the terrific capture.

  7. #7

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    Re: Another Weekend on Prince William Sound

    Dan,

    I'm so jealous!

    Gretchen

  8. #8

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    Re: Another Weekend on Prince William Sound

    Thanks, for the comments. Gretchen, not much to be jealous of along about mid January.
    Quote Originally Posted by Ken Curtis View Post
    ...You did a nice job of cutting the haze in #1. Question, was the light halo effect just above the horizon actually there, or is it light from post processing?...
    The haze above the horizon was actually there. Much more so before PP. I considered trying to remove it completely but wanted it to look as natural as possible. The weather forecast that day actually called for fog so I suppose we were lucky it was only hazy.

  9. #9
    kaneohebud's Avatar
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    Re: Another Weekend on Prince William Sound

    Beautiful, Dan. Leave some eagle photos for me in August!

  10. #10

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    Re: Another Weekend on Prince William Sound

    Quote Originally Posted by kaneohebud View Post
    Leave some eagle photos for me in August!
    Shouldn't be a problem, Bud. You'll be around a salmon stream and usually where there are salmon there are eagles. But then you'll have a dilemma. Shoot the bear, or the eagle? Sometimes one has to make tough choices

  11. #11
    kaneohebud's Avatar
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    Re: Another Weekend on Prince William Sound

    Quote Originally Posted by NorthernFocus View Post
    Shoot the bear, or the eagle? Sometimes one has to make tough choices
    That's why I'm bringing two A77's with me. Shoot 'em both!

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