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Nostroboy

Majestic shag

I went for a walk in Riverton, by the estuary and spent some time with these quite fellas, under a magnificent light.

I went for a walk in Riverton, by the estuary and spent some time with these quite fellas, under a magnificent light.
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Apr, 2018

Views

330

Likes

+51

Awards

Winner in Up Up and Away Photo Challenge

Peer Award

+27

Absolute Masterpiece

Top Choice

Magnificent Capture

Outstanding Creativity

Superb Composition

Emotions

Impressed

Top Ranks

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

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Top 30 rank

Behind The Lens

Location

I was lucky to click this bird in flight in Riverton, New Zealand. Riverton is a small coastal town located at the very south of the New Zealand's south island.

Time

I went out for an evening walk before dinner and spotted few shags chilling on a rock as the golden hour was starting.

Lighting

Before even thinking about the birds I saw the light. The weather was quite rainy with big clouds but the golden hour was beginning and the mood was particular. The calm before the storm. The dark clouds and bright orange sun spot were creating a great contrast and colors. I could come very close to the bird so I could see the reflection of the sun's color on him.

Equipment

I took the shot with my Sony alpha 7S II and my Canon 24-70mm f/4.

Inspiration

I love wildlife photography. Animals always inspires me, especially when I can put them in frame with their natural environment. Here I was captivated by the light, it's color and mood. I did some shots of the sea but without any subject in foreground the shots were quite poor. The shags were a blessing because I liked the nature I saw and this beautiful natural painting is their natural habitat. I found the inhabitants and my foreground subject. As I was slowly going closer to the bird and taking pictures I became more and more interested by him. I thought that the beautiful evening light was here for me to magnify the bird. I was lucky to be in focus when he spread his wings.

Editing

My post processing here is very light. Basically I just did some light contrast correction and color grade. And my main work was pushing up the highlights and creating a discret circle of lighton my background light source to give more dynamism to the shot.

In my camera bag

I have a Sony a7S II camera with a CANON 24-70mm f4, a SAMYANG 14mm f2.8, a CANON 75-300mm f4-5.6 and a CANON 50mm f1.8. I also have a M42 adapter and an Helios 44-2 58mm f2.8 lens made in USSR. And a Pola filter.

Feedback

Animals are discret and frightened all the time. So taking a shot with a wide angle lens isn't an easy task. But there are few animal spieces used to humans and I think they are a great subject for practice. They have to spot you from a distance. And then going closer must be a slow step by step, letting them see you all the time. I like to sit for a few minutes, takes few photos from the distance I am, and then make few steps by staying close to the ground and moving slowly. Then sit again for few minutes. When you are really close don't forget the "silent shooting" mode in your camera if available.

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Nostroboy

Nostroboy

Majestic shag

I went for a walk in Riverton, by the estuary and spent some time with these quite fellas, under a magnificent light.

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow Nostroboy

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