Trumpeter Swans at Juanita Bay Park Dec 16, 2024 is an in camera multiple exposure with average blend mode using ICM movement. I used 15.0 seconds, F5.6 and ISO 125 for both with an XF 100-400mm lens on my Fujifilm X-T5. The first image was shot at 100mm with a slow diagonal upward to right movement. The second image was shot at 400mm for a closer view and slight circular move. I did a lot of tweaks in LRc on my iMac: cropped, sharpened, increased clarity and dehaze, Auto for light and moved the sliders slightly until I liked the look. I also did Auto on white balance to add more blue. As usual, I am trying for painterly and keeping in mind that I need to maintain the PNW grey overcast day atmosphere, so went easy on tweaks that increased color intensity.
8 comments posted
Karl Leck
Hi Heather, You are successful in creating a pictorial painting. The technique is effective. It's reminiscent of a color bromoil print from the 1930's. The color is well managed. I see white birds in the background, but those in the foreground seem less distinct. I initially thought the foreground might be an ice floe. But good art is often ambiguous. Karl Posted: 01/09/2025 14:29:04
Heather Ebey
Thank you, Karl. I appreciate your comments. The next time I am out with the Trumpeter swans, I will try a similar shot with less movement. The swans in the distance are the same swans but with the lens at 100mm instead of zoomed in at 400mm. They had also changed their positions as they were swimming around.
I had to look up bromoil print, which looks like a very complex process. Back in the 1980's I did color prints in a home darkroom with poor ventilation…bad idea. Though I processed each print in a canister, it was opening it that got me coughing for hours. Posted: 01/10/2025 02:08:54
Freddie Kelvin
This is very painterly: I love your treatment of the swans.
I wonder if the foreground on the left is a bit distracting; it takes me away from the swans and may be worth darkening a little? Posted: 01/19/2025 23:26:20
Heather Ebey
Thank you, Freddie. I was wondering about that left foreground. I appreciate you confirming I should slightly darken it. Posted: 01/20/2025 04:43:28
Lauren Heerschap
Hey welcome, you and I are local? I know the Juanita Bay area well. I appreciate the movement in this photo, it is exactly the experience of a flock of swans taking off - such a whirling, beautiful movement. Posted: 01/20/2025 16:54:20
Heather Ebey
Lauren, thank you for your lovely comment. I am in downtown Kirkland, but will be selling my condo this spring. Still looking for a condo in Woodinville, Kenmore or the like, so I will still be able to visit Juanita Bay. I love taking photos there. Particularly the Great Blue Heron and the year-around changes in the wetlands. I even got a photo of a bobcat walking along the railing towards me. Posted: 01/20/2025 17:10:36
Lauren Heerschap
So we are close by...we live in Shoreline. Are you in a camera club? We attend Puget Sound Camera Club in Edmonds. Posted: 01/20/2025 17:23:39
Heather Ebey
I am in Puget Sound Camera Club, but I have never attended in person. I attended one digital night and went to an education night offered to PSCC through another club. Posted: 01/21/2025 00:49:18
