The Great Pretender
The bird appears quite familiar with "life on stage", and the scene has created a lightning-fast association that I used for a title... ...
Read more
The bird appears quite familiar with "life on stage", and the scene has created a lightning-fast association that I used for a title...
Read less
Read less
Apr, 2015Views
641
Likes
Awards
Winner in Pet Dove or Pigeon One Only Photo Challenge
Winner in Pigeons or doves in the city Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
All Star
Emotions
Impressed
Happy
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
Photo was made in our local park which is also a beach and a restaurant along the Lake Ohrid shore. The managers there used to raise these beauties.Time
30-May-12 18:33:33, as Exif says...Lighting
Daylight only - nothing else was required.Equipment
My camera was a SONY F-828, which used to be my go-to model for all themes, save underwater... I shot this photo out of hand, with no add-ons.Inspiration
White pigeons preening and strutting everywhere... that surely was inspiration enough! Some of those were tame enough to allow relatively close approach, so my wife and me have made a lot of photos, with almost 90% of those worth keeping.Editing
Not much of post-processing was needed, save some cropping for better layout. You might say this was a SOOC if it wasn't for this, and also re-sizing for upload.In my camera bag
It's easier for me to carry a photo vest than any photo bag. So I load my photo vest with whatever I might need for my photo session, walk or trip, while my photo bags usually keep the equipment I'm not using at the moment. The vest's many pockets usually contain two cameras, spare batteries, ND and CPL filters, and one photo clamp standing in for a tripod. Recently I include a small action camera, mainly for its wide field of view and resistance to water and weather. The vest also has large-lens pockets that contain a small water bottle, sandwich, or a bar of chocolate if I plan on being out for the whole day. There is about three meters length of paracord or similar strong, thin rope, one hefty pocket knife, and a lighter. My smartphone comes along too. It has yet another spare camera, but more importantly the Spirit Level App wich I use to make the phone a perfectly horizontal surface under my camera. This is essential for panoramic sweeps. The app is free, and requires no extra permissions whatsoever. The large back pocket of the vest is reserved for a lightweight rain poncho. If the weather suddenly plays up, the poncho neatly covers all. Using the tools mentioned above, much can be improvised along the way, so that's all I need to make phFeedback
If ever you find yourself surrounded by beautiful birds, you better hope your camera is well able to instanty react to all aspects of the experience - from wide and all-encompassing vistas thru portraits. A strong zoom capability is a must. Otherwise, walk slowly so as not to alarm the flock, shoot a lot, and look for any special behavior, especially if the birds are in their courting and mating ritual. In any case, enjoy - and have a Good Light!
