Putting on the brakes
Jan, 2013Views
1754
Likes
Awards
Zenith Award
Top Shot Award 22
Featured
Featured
Contest Finalist in Two Wings Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
All Star
Exceptional Contrast
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken at the Humber Bay Park west which is along Lake Ontario in Toronto. Which is a place I always stop at when in the area for bird photographs.Time
It was around 2 pm when I was driving by and decided to stop and check out the swans.Lighting
One of the reasons I stopped by is that it was slight overcast, so it was bright but without the harsh shadows. I was able to get a decent shutter speed on a 400 mm lens.Equipment
I shot this with a Canon 5D Mark 2 and a 100 - 400 mm canon lens hand held.Inspiration
I always stop by this place in hope of getting swans in flight and 90% of the times I come away with more images of swans swimming around. However this time I spotted two swans coming in for a landing. I focused on one, and followed it in flight firing away as it approached the water. Just as it hit the water I saw it curling it's wings as it dragged it's feet on the water to come to a stop, all through the lens as I just kept shooting. I knew I had something special today!Editing
The only post processing needed was cropping as I kept the swan in the center of the frame not wanting to do any composing at this point. I just want to keep my camera steady and focused. When I cropped I wanted to keep a little more of the frame ahead of the swan at the same time keeping enough of the water action at it's feet in order to tell this story.In my camera bag
I always carry my camera around with me along with my 8-15 mm wide angle/fish eye for fun, a 24-105mm for street, and a 100-400mmFeedback
Hey! this could have been my first visit there and come away with something special on one visit! The reality is, I've been there 50 times and come away with boring swans a swimming. The point is, don't give up, and don't leave to soon. Hang around, be patient, and something special will come. Have your camera set for the light conditions. You won't have time to do that when birds come flying in.
