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Surf Hopping

© Stephen Shoff

Surf Hopping

Uploaded: January 20, 2014

Description

f/11, 1/800sec, ISO 800, +0.33 exp comp.; EF 100-400 f4/5-5.6L IS@340mm

These birds are Sanderlings. They were feeding along the edge of the surf on a short stretch of gravel beach along Asilomar Beach on Monterey, Ca.

Exif: F Number: 11, Exposure Bias Value: 0.33, ExposureTime: 1/800 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 800, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 340.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Comments

Dale Hardin January 20, 2014

Stephen, this is an excellent action shot. It's a shame the seaweed was in the surf right behind the top bird. Makes him a bit hard to see. On the other hand,it adds an element to the composition. Well timed capture, my friend. Wish I knew you were in Monterey. Would have driven up. #1560357

Elaine Hessler January 21, 2014

This is really cool Stephen-I thought this was four images stacked together of one bird...

I agree that the top bird is lost a little in the background. I am wondering if it is worth trying to bring him out somehow.

Love the composition on this!!! #10952736

Jeff E Jensen January 21, 2014

Like Elaine, my first thought was that this is a composite, but then realized it is just really good timing. Very cool!

I'm okay with it as presented. #10952831

Beth Spencer January 21, 2014

Great way to stop the action and you must have been in the right place at the right time to catch all these guys this way! #10952906

Rita K. Connell level-classic January 21, 2014

All I can say is WOW WOW what timing indeed. I love this more because I know how hard it is to get bird shots let alone 4 of them in a row.

I wonder if you desaturate the color of the seaweed to almost no color if that would help bring him out a little more. #10952982

Stephen Shoff January 21, 2014

The timing consisted of planting myself on a rock at the edge of the surf line for about 2 hours and taking 150 shots as I tried to track a large flock of these shorebirds scurry rapidly and randomly back forth along the little section of beach. But that was probably the best two hours of the entire weekend. Certainly a lot more fun than the last 30 minutes trying to decide just how much desaturation to apply and where.

But please let me know if the two adjustments I made helped some. Contrary to Dale's comment, I added just a little bit of seaweed along the white section of the top bird's back to help bring out the edges better. Then applied some of Rita's desaturation suggestion.

I didn't want to take it quite as far as Rita implied. I want this to look like water color painting, and I want this to be about action and behavior, not just the birds. #10953153

Dale Hardin January 22, 2014

A subtle but effective edit, Stephen. The toning down of the bright area behind the back of the top bird, at the base of it's tail, was especially helpful. #10953397

Rita K. Connell level-classic January 23, 2014

Very nice stephen that was actually what I was thinking. Well done and was worth all the time taking and editing this beautiful image. #10953974

Jeff E Jensen January 23, 2014

Excellent! #10953997

Anthony L. Mancuso January 23, 2014

Cool shot and great timing, Stephen...I agree with Dale's assessment of the edited version.. #10954025

Kalena Randall January 23, 2014

Great work on this and great shot! #10954189

Stephen Shoff January 23, 2014

Thanks for all your feedback and positive comments. #10954335

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