Jose Cartas
July 2024 - High-key Flamingos
Original
About the Image(s)
The Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon) is a shallow salt lake in Bolivia, not far from the Uyuni salt flats. Its waters are red due to sediments and pigmentation from algae. Flocks of flamingos are easy to spot and photograph there. Among the many photos I took, I was quite pleased with the original (cropped), which shows very well the colors of the lagoon and the flamingos. But I started experimenting with increasing the exposure and converting to B&W, and then ended with the high-key image I submitted this month for comments. Technical specifications: 300 mm. Lens, 1/40 sec. At f/14, ISO 100, tripod.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
6 comments posted
I really like your treatment. The original is mostly one color anyway, and this high key effect adds a lot of impact.The center of the image would also make a great image, or even the left third. Posted: 07/09/2024 20:08:42
Hi Jose, I think that the treatment brings a fine bird image to a next level. You show
the essence of the birds in a graphical way, and I love the way their reflections behave. My eye picks first the lonely bird taking a step in the middle, and moves round the image with all the variations of pose of the little groups and individuals. Posted: 07/11/2024 14:30:28
the essence of the birds in a graphical way, and I love the way their reflections behave. My eye picks first the lonely bird taking a step in the middle, and moves round the image with all the variations of pose of the little groups and individuals. Posted: 07/11/2024 14:30:28
I am more of a color person, so I like the color version better, but I see the attraction to BW. It makes a more graphical picture, and less of a wildlife pic this way. Both are great pics I believe! Posted: 07/15/2024 08:24:51
I also prefer the color versions as those pink and orange tones are so gorgeous! Difficult to get a good composition when the birds are so close together. Posted: 07/15/2024 20:44:29
I think both the color and BW images work well. I do get stuck on the two "headless" flamingos, particularly the one in the back row towards the right. These seem a little less distracting in the color image. If this was my image, I might try to clone another bird into those spots. I could see the BW printed very large as more of a graphic statement. I agree with Mervyn on the composition difficulty, but I also see a rhythm across the image, big "chords" punctuated by single "notes" Posted: 07/17/2024 14:16:58
I think converting it to a B&W image is compelling, so that we look at the forms, texture, tonality and lines. In this image, the positions and the shape of the flamingos create some kind of a rhythm for us to appreciate. I don't mind the headless birds because this is the posture when they sleep. Well done. Posted: 07/21/2024 08:07:26