Richard Goldenberg

May 2025 - Osprey

Original

About the Image(s)

I took this photo on April 15 from an airboat during a recent trip to Florida. I also got several photos of Ospreys pulling fish out of the water and flying away with them, but this photo showing the instant before the strike is my favorite. The cropped image is low resolution, only 1198 x 682, but (I think) it looks good on a phone. Any comments you all may have about cropping decisions, e.g., for display on phones versus larger formats, would be appreciated. And, of course, I look forward to your comments on the photo generally.

The photo was taken with my Sony Alpha 1, Mark 2, using a 300 mm prime lens and a 2x teleconverter for an effective focal length of 600 mm. The settings were 1/2000 sec, f / 5.6 (which is the largest possible aperture for that lens + teleconverter combination), and ISO 640.
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7 comments posted

Bruce Benson

Richard, you really captured the essence of the action with the closeup view. You did a good job of bringing out the lights from the original. Resolution is to small to print large so phone would be best place to display. Bruce Posted: 05/01/2025 22:49:04

Dr Isaac Vaisman

Richard, to me it is a very tight crop, my guess is that you did not want to show the aquatic plants. That was an easy fix with Photoshop. Overall, the whole bird just about to catch a fish is the story of the image, therefore I think we need to show it completely and in the environment. Posted: 05/03/2025 14:33:44

Richard Goldenberg

Isaac - Thanks for your comments. Actually, I wasn't trying to avoid the aquatic plants. Rather, for better or worse, most people who view my images do so on their phones and I wanted a phone-viewer to clearly see the talons, eyes and beak. On a larger monitor or print, I would absolutely prefer your crop. I've been wondering lately if I should make two versions of my favorite images: one for phones and another for larger displays. Any thoughts you may have about this would be much appreciated. Posted: 05/04/2025 13:01:33

Dr Isaac Vaisman

Richard, in reality it is on the eyes of the beholder. You can make as many iterations as you time allows. Posted: 05/05/2025 16:40:43

Karen Kratz

Richard - this is a great shot - very compelling in telling the story and creating the tension of the moment. My only suggestion would be to straighten the horizon - it's something I have trouble with myself, so it's something I'll notice right away on someone else's photo. You got the eyes super sharp - a huge plus IMHO. :) Posted: 05/08/2025 20:28:34

Maria Small

The level of details in your image and the emotions being conveyed, Richard, are amazing! I do prefer Isaac's version and comment that showing the whole bird in its environment completes the story. Posted: 05/12/2025 18:05:45

Maria Mazo

Hi Richard,

The crop you chose for this image creates a strong impact, it really draws the viewer in. It powerfully conveys the tension and energy of the moment, and you've captured it with excellent sharpness and detail.

Exploring another crop that includes more of the environment could tell a different story, perhaps with less visual intensity, but offering more context about the Osprey and its surroundings.

I really enjoy watching Ospreys, they're such skilled fishers with beautiful plumage. Unfortunately, I don't have many opportunities to see them here in Spain, and I truly miss my walks along Long Reef in Sydney, where I could often find them fishing with ease. Posted: 05/13/2025 13:19:54

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