The Swans

[ajsmith]

I took these photos tonight about an hour before sunset. The light was beautiful and there were plenty of birds in the water. I was looking for something different with the swans, not the usual full body of the swan. So I ended up with this. I think I finally got the exposure down on the white birds, but when I viewed my photos, the heads were slightly out of focus on many of them. I think I should have raised my shutter speed more (was set at 320) and let the ISO go where it wanted and deal with any noise later.

c and c welcome

1


2

[Donald]

Beautiful light indeed. And I like the compositional approach of getting in close and not thinking of having to include the whole bird.

[Shadowman]

Very nice.

[IzzieK]

I like #1 best between the two of them -- the shadow in #2 is not the best but #1 is more like it.

[deetheturk]

Very nice Ali!

David

[NorthernFocus]

Nicely done. Creative composition, beautiful lighting, and technically well handled. Good job.

[vaez]

both image absolutely amazing i like the compositions of both
cheers vaez

[Slipper]

Nice light indeed and good exposure with detail in the feathers.

[Brownbear]

Hi Ali,

Just to add to the accolades. Beautifully composed. I love the positioning you captured. Beautifully exposed. Gorgeous detail!

I'm leaning towards #2 as my favourite for the composition but I'm wondering if perhaps there is a bit of a blue tint. The 2nd image seems bluer than the first image and perhaps that is your preference.

[FootLoose]

I agree with Donald. Unless you are after a documentary shot, there is no need to frame the whole subject - we know what the rest of it looks like. And in this example, you have captured a beautiful seductive pose in complementary light. It brings to mind "Leda and the Swan".

[bnnrcn]

Very nice posture in #2

[NMarie]

Both are as equally stunning, but I favor #1 because of the Position of the Head and the lighting.

[chauncey]

Hey Ali, there's not one of us that hasn't experienced blown areas in white things, as in some
places in the neck of the first image. If you're unable to adjust the exposure to retrieve some detail,
I would take the body of the first image and insert it into the second image.
There both good...just need a little better PP.

[Rebel]

Lovely shots Ali!

[ajsmith]

Hi Nina Marie,

Thanks for your comments!

[ajsmith]

Hi Chauncey,
I was trying to make them the color that I thought they were when I shot the picture which was pretty white. I can definitely lower exposure to bring in more detail. I will tinker with the white balance e and the exposure and see what I can come up with.
Thanks for your comments.

[ajsmith]

Thanks Matt.