• Photos

  • Level

  • Score

Mute Swan Portrait

© Andrew JM Davies

Mute Swan Portrait

Uploaded: November 14, 2006

Description

Exif: FNumber: , ExposureBiasValue: , ExposureTime: , Flash: , ISO: , WhiteBalance:

Comments

Andrew JM Davies November 14, 2006

May I have your CCs please. #556898

Paul Milligan November 14, 2006

Nice shot Andrew. I like the way you've caught the water droplets.
What lens did you use?

Paul #3586410

Pamela K November 14, 2006

Very nice capture! I love the way you got detail on both the white and black feathers, very hard to do! The water droplets also make a very nice touch.

I like the composition too. Nice curve of the neck and the eye hits one of those 'sweet spots'. Good job getting the catchlight in his eye, too!

Only comment, and I don't know if you can fix this without losing feather detail, is that it seems a bit dark and yellow. Maybe the swan was actually that color, but I think it would look better a little brighter/whiter. You might try a mild curves or levels adjustment in Photoshop (if you use that program), either on the full color range or just in the yellows and/or reds.

Pam #3586714

Melissa G. Meiselman November 14, 2006

The thing I love the most is the warm lighting...just wonderful, Andrew. I also like your very sharp detail...both the feathers and drops of water. Finally, the vertical composition is excellent!!! #3587209

Andrew JM Davies November 14, 2006

Many thanks for your CCs.

This photo was taken near dusk on a sunny autumn's day. The swan was whiter earlier in the day (honest!) but the warm tint comes from the setting sun.
Minimal level adjustments were made in PS-CS2 as highlights and shadows would have been clipped. #3587259

Chris Grey November 14, 2006

Terrific shot. Since we have the same camera, you give me hope! What lens did you use. It seems unusually sharp, especially the droplets. I wondered what white balance program did you use? If any. I have found expodisc to be particularly helpful. Good composition and nice use of negative space. did you crop in camera or post? #3587264

Andrew JM Davies November 14, 2006

Hi Paul,

The lens that I used for this shot was a Sigma EX DG F4 100mm-300mm. Focal length was 280mm @ F4 1/2500.

Regards,
Andrew #3587280

Andrew JM Davies November 14, 2006

Hi Chris,

The sharpness is really down to using a pro quality lens and tripod. Clarity, sharpness and brightness in a image is more to do with the lens quality than camera qaulity at the end of the day. If the lens can't see it the camera sensor can't capture it!

I always shoot with white balance (WB) set to AUTO and in the RAW format. I use PS-CS2 to do my RAW conversion work. This allows me far more control over the WB etc.

The slight cropping was the final stage in the editing process.

Regards,
Andrew #3587317

Janine Russell level-deluxe November 14, 2006

Andrew, excellent detail, exposure, clarity, textures and lighting. #3588142

To discuss, first log in or sign up (buttons are at top center of page).

Get Constructive Critiques

Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.


 

Did You Know?

Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.

BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.

Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.


 

The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:

I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.

You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.

You &

Love It!

BetterPhoto.com Editor's Pick


Copyright for this photo belongs solely to Andrew JM Davies.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.