Sky Pirates
Frigate Birds (also called "Pirates of the sky") darken the sky and circle a fisherman as he brings his catch ashore at Puerto Cay, Ecuadore....
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Frigate Birds (also called "Pirates of the sky") darken the sky and circle a fisherman as he brings his catch ashore at Puerto Cay, Ecuadore.
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Jul, 2015Views
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Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Peer Award
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this picture on the coastline of Ecuador.I was on my way to board a boat to Isla Plata (also known as 'Poor Man's Galapagos' when I saw the birds circling over the Fisherman.Time
The picture was taken at about 11:00am.Lighting
Although the picture was taken close to Mid day and the sun was high, the sky was turned dark by the sheer volume and size of the Frigate Birds.Equipment
Sony Alpha 100. No Flash or tripod.Inspiration
I am always looking out for interesting wildlife pictures. What caught my eye here was that the Frigate Birds (also known as Pirates of the Skies) where literally stealing fish right out of the fisherman's basket, living up to their nickname!Editing
The picture worked much stronger in black and white. I converted it using Adobe Photoshop and boosted the contrast to emphasise the tones.In my camera bag
These days I have a Nikon D600. It is a great little full frame camera with built in intervalometer. I can also crop easily from Full frame to DX format, which is great for wildlife. I also much prefer the colours produced by Nikon. Portraits appear to have a more neutral look about them compared to Cannon, which is heavier towards the orange and red tones. I have also used a Canon 5D MKii which was a fantastic camera. I use a monopod these days and always have an LED light which I enjoy using at night for illuminating timed exposures.Feedback
Always have a camera ready with spare batteries and spare memory. Always be prepared for the unexpected. The day you set off out and decide to leave your gear behind, or can't be bothered taking that heavy zoom lens along will be the day you spot a Yeti running in the woods!. Always leave a little extra camera battery and space on your card as often the return journey home can be full of photo opportunities.
