Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape & Nature Photography => Topic started by: Glenn Bartley on July 25, 2013, 09:58:28 am

Title: Messy but Good - Blue and Black Tanager
Post by: Glenn Bartley on July 25, 2013, 09:58:28 am

Sometimes "grab shots" that are kind of messy wind up being some of my favourites. I love it when there is order in the chaos of mother nature.

I snapped this one while wandering around the eastern slope of the Andes one morning in Ecuador. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea. But I liked it :-)

(http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/3420/xh3j.jpg)

Camera Model: Canon EOS 7D
Shutter speed: 1/250 sec
Aperture: 5.6
Flash: On
ISO: 640
Lens: EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x

Title: Re: Messy but Good - Blue and Black Tanager
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on July 25, 2013, 02:59:50 pm

I guess the Tanager wouldn't wait for you to prune the dead branches.

It's still a splendid portrait, as usual.

Title: Re: Messy but Good - Blue and Black Tanager
Post by: AFairley on July 25, 2013, 03:03:13 pm

I like it because it really has context, but the bird still stands out

Title: Re: Messy but Good - Blue and Black Tanager
Post by: James Clark on July 25, 2013, 04:19:42 pm

The blue of the bird really stands out amongst the soft green of the environment.  What a great shot :)

Title: Re: Messy but Good - Blue and Black Tanager
Post by: fike on July 25, 2013, 05:34:22 pm

I like it despite the fact that the image is messy and perhaps more problematically, it is unbalanced.  The composition is almost atonal in its lack of balance.  the messiness it think is totally okay.  But with all these defects, the little tanager saves the day with such a beautiful and solitary contrast to the background and environment.  The bright blue bird is like a simple song in a cacophony background. 

The tension works well.  It isn't a relaxing or easygoing composition, but it is great.