Tom Brassil
December 2024 - Kingfisher Diving
About the Image(s)
This image was taken during a recent outing with fellow photo club members for bird photography. I spotted this kingfisher on a branch and patiently waited for it to dive. Using my camera set at high speed (20 frames per second, 1/3200 sec, F6.3, ISO 1400), I captured the sequence. In Photoshop, I stacked the various shots in layers and masked in the bird from each shot. There is a noticeable gap between the kingfisher on the branch and the first diving shot, which reflects sadly on my reaction time.
Thank you for viewing.
8 comments posted
(Groups 21 & 94)
Very interesting concept and well executed...but get rid of those extraneous sticks at the bottom. Posted: 12/09/2024 20:06:20
Hi Leslie. Thank you for the input and suggestion Posted: 12/18/2024 08:40:09
Hi Tom,
What a great capture. I like the different wing positions as he goes into his dive.
I agree with Leslie that those sticks at the bottom need to go! Also, it may just be my eyes, but there seems to be an oval of different-colored sky surrounding the group of diving birds. It should be relatively easy to smooth that out.
What a cool shot. Thanks for creating it and sharing.
Karen Posted: 12/14/2024 01:40:50
What a great capture. I like the different wing positions as he goes into his dive.
I agree with Leslie that those sticks at the bottom need to go! Also, it may just be my eyes, but there seems to be an oval of different-colored sky surrounding the group of diving birds. It should be relatively easy to smooth that out.
What a cool shot. Thanks for creating it and sharing.
Karen Posted: 12/14/2024 01:40:50
Hi Karen, thank you for that, definitely need to adjust the tone in the sky around the bird.
I have (internally) debated the lower branches, with the other trunk, top left, I thought they were part of the environment and it just looks empty without them and shows why he was flaring out to scoot across them. In hindsight I would probably remove the small branch on the left.
Now I do totally agree with you, that if I was to enter this into a contest I would remove them as that the first thing a judge would comment on.
Thanks for considering and the input
Posted: 12/18/2024 08:57:12
I have (internally) debated the lower branches, with the other trunk, top left, I thought they were part of the environment and it just looks empty without them and shows why he was flaring out to scoot across them. In hindsight I would probably remove the small branch on the left.
Now I do totally agree with you, that if I was to enter this into a contest I would remove them as that the first thing a judge would comment on.
Thanks for considering and the input
Posted: 12/18/2024 08:57:12
Hi Tom,
I always enjoy your approach to capturing unique images, and this one is a well composite. I agree with Karen's comments regarding the different colored sky and that is an easy fix. I am not sure I agree with Leslie or Karen regarding the branches in the bottom left. To me they fill some dead space and gives the birds a destination.
Best regards,
Greg Posted: 12/17/2024 16:46:54
I always enjoy your approach to capturing unique images, and this one is a well composite. I agree with Karen's comments regarding the different colored sky and that is an easy fix. I am not sure I agree with Leslie or Karen regarding the branches in the bottom left. To me they fill some dead space and gives the birds a destination.
Best regards,
Greg Posted: 12/17/2024 16:46:54
Hi Greg, thanks for the input
Definitely need to adjust the tone in the sky around the bird.
I do agree with you on the branches, as I mentioned to Kare, I thought they were part of the environment and it just looks empty without them and shows why he was flaring out to scoot across them. In hindsight I would probably remove the small branch on the left.
Now I do totally agree with Karen, that if I was to enter this into a contest I would remove them as that the first thing a judge would comment on.
Thanks for the input Posted: 12/18/2024 09:01:17
Definitely need to adjust the tone in the sky around the bird.
I do agree with you on the branches, as I mentioned to Kare, I thought they were part of the environment and it just looks empty without them and shows why he was flaring out to scoot across them. In hindsight I would probably remove the small branch on the left.
Now I do totally agree with Karen, that if I was to enter this into a contest I would remove them as that the first thing a judge would comment on.
Thanks for the input Posted: 12/18/2024 09:01:17
Hi Greg, thanks for the input
Definitely need to adjust the tone in the sky around the bird.
I do agree with you on the branches, as I mentioned to Kare, I thought they were part of the environment and it just looks empty without them and shows why he was flaring out to scoot across them. In hindsight I would probably remove the small branch on the left.
Now I do totally agree with Karen, that if I was to enter this into a contest I would remove them as that the first thing a judge would comment on.
Thanks for the input Posted: 12/19/2024 21:37:15
Definitely need to adjust the tone in the sky around the bird.
I do agree with you on the branches, as I mentioned to Kare, I thought they were part of the environment and it just looks empty without them and shows why he was flaring out to scoot across them. In hindsight I would probably remove the small branch on the left.
Now I do totally agree with Karen, that if I was to enter this into a contest I would remove them as that the first thing a judge would comment on.
Thanks for the input Posted: 12/19/2024 21:37:15
Hi Tom. This is definitely a very interesting image and a great concept. As mentioned by others, I would try to simplify it by eliminating the random branches st the bottom and the smaller branch in the upper left. That way the viewer would concentrate their attention on the primary seated bird and the diving sequence, which is the point of your presentation. Posted: 12/20/2024 21:40:26