Oliver Morton
December 2021 - Five Geese
Original
About the Image(s)
This photograph was made almost 20 years ago in a local garden (Brookside Garden). It was a late January day and the Brookside pond was partially frozen. I was fascinated to watch the geese deciding whether or not to "take the leap" onto the ice.
Unfortunately, the resolution of my Canon EOS D60 was only 6.3 megapixels and the camera shot was a jpeg. (I don't think RAW format was available that long ago.) Nonetheless, the image amuses me so I decided to submit it for December. After cropping the photograph in Photoshop, I modified the lighting and contrast using the new masking capabilities of Camera Raw.
Data: Canon D60; 100-400mm lens @ 220mm; 1/350 sec; f/6.7; ISO 200
This round’s discussion is now closed!
14 comments posted
A nice shot. It is a bit of a shame that the middle goose has it's head down. I actually prefer the original crop as the white ice at the bottom of the frame draws your eye in more satisfactorily. However, it looks as though it was a dull day so a good choice to compose without sky. Posted: 12/04/2021 11:44:49
Thank you, Candia. I attempted to incorporate your suggestions; however, instead of re-cropping, I simply brightened the ice leading up to the geese.
Posted: 12/04/2021 12:30:40
Posted: 12/04/2021 12:30:40
That works for me! Posted: 12/06/2021 15:39:22
Pete, I was thinking of a little tighter crop, I found the trees in the BG a little distracting and didn't really add to the image. I did notice that the middle goose had changed too was that a clone? Posted: 12/04/2021 20:00:23
Richard, I originally played with a tight crop but felt that the context added to the feeling of the ducks' travels. I made a minor crop but left much of the background intact. Posted: 12/06/2021 11:06:41
Interesting that cropping down is such common advice (in our club competitions most notably) and almost never about tight crops. Here I would question the deep crop but maybe its partly about the scope of the original shot too. Is this image just a record shot of geese or why their leader thinks its a worthwhile thing to cross a hazardous river? What is on the other side? We don't learn that and I think its important to the narrative of the image to try and explain what is going on. Cropping in doesn't give us a better image of the geese (they are very beautiful close up). So why not allow their environment to speak? Posted: 12/04/2021 20:18:15
Interesting questions, Mark. Good "food for thought". To me, the scene was about the dilemma facing the lead goose. Or, as Shakespeare might have put it, "To leap or not to leap, that is the question". Although the image is clearly about the birds, I felt that the surrounding area added to their apparent thoughts. If, for example, there were no land showing on the opposite side of the stream, then they would appear to simply be looking out over the water. Posted: 12/06/2021 11:13:16
Yes they are not doing this for fun. There is a purpose. Food presumably Posted: 12/06/2021 16:45:54
I would not crop but I have cloned the heads which I am not sure I like, but I have selectively brightened the image. Posted: 12/06/2021 10:35:17
David, I like your modifications... especially to the lighting. Your version of the image helps pull my eyes into the line of geese while still leaving them as the center of interest. Thank you!
Posted: 12/06/2021 11:15:10
Posted: 12/06/2021 11:15:10
David, very nice modifications! I agree with Oliver's comments. Posted: 12/11/2021 23:14:12
Pete I suppose that that odd position of the head of the middle goose does somewhat spoil the symmetry of the image but it is nevertheless saved by goose no. 2, so it ws good idea to bring his head up. I don't care for the crop I like the full scene and the leafless tree on the opposite bank, to me it adds to the image. Posted: 12/10/2021 21:49:04
Oliver, I really don't have any additional comments. Posted: 12/11/2021 23:14:54
Sophia, I completely understand. I always find it difficult to add to what everyone else has said. So, I usually try to comment early.
Happy to have you in the group! Posted: 12/12/2021 11:21:31
Happy to have you in the group! Posted: 12/12/2021 11:21:31