Alan Kiecker, QPSA  


Takeoff by Alan Kiecker, QPSA

November 2024 - Takeoff

About the Image(s)

Description:
I was at a wildlife area in Wisconsin, driving down one of the roads with a waterway along side the road when I came upon a pair of swans. Since they were swimming in the same direction as I was traveling, I went on ahead to get a shot from the front. They decided to turn and swim in the opposite direction, i.e. they were swimming away from me. I got out of my car and walked along the road to get closer. They turned and were now swimming toward me! I took a few photos, took the camera away from my eye to make some adjustments when they took off. I quickly put the camera to my eye and grabbed a few photos of them taking off. It was an amazing experience! It was like they were right beside me. I had never been so close to a large bird when it took flight!

Technical: Nikon Z8, Z 180-600mm lens @ 180mm, 1/400sec @ f/11, ISO 400

Note: It was the shutter speed that I had changed. I had it much faster but they were slow moving in the water so I went to a slower speed expecting them to continue. I did not expect them to take off, or I would have kept the much faster shutter speed.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
5 comments posted




Josh Lohff   Josh Lohff
Hey Alan

Go figure right?! (regarding the shutter speed). The softness of the image aside, I like it. It's well exposed, from blacks all the way through to the whites and I like the room you've left in front of the swan to move into.   Posted: 11/16/2024 20:05:12
Alan Kiecker   Alan Kiecker
Yeah, I think I learned something here ... always be prepared for the unexpected.   Posted: 11/20/2024 13:06:09



David Kepley   David Kepley
Alan,
Isn't is something about wildlife when they know you're around and move away!! M akes a photographer's job much harder, but you know that! The image is soft because, of course, you shot it at too slow a shi=utter speed. 1/400sec won't do for birds in flight. I usually go with 1/1250-1600 sec. You can dial that in even when they are just swimming around, so that you will be ready in case they take off.
  Posted: 11/21/2024 22:14:12
Alan Kiecker   Alan Kiecker
For sure! It was definitely a learning experience!   Posted: 11/21/2024 22:51:04



Craig Callan   Craig Callan
Excellent work and composition.   Posted: 11/22/2024 01:08:11