Saddle-billed Stork

[Wild Images]

Our most beautiful stork
this is a male, note the yellow wattle and dark eys. The females lack the wattle but have light eyes with a yellow rim

[Stephen]

Re: Saddle-billed Stork

Our most beautiful stork
this is a male, note the yellow wattle and dark eys. The females lack the wattle but have light eyes with a yellow rim

As you have posted this in critique thats what I'm gonna do Its my feeling that whilst this picture is of an undoubtedly spectacular and colourful bird, and for us Brits it something that we would never see in its natural habitat, without a visit to SA, therefore it has a certain novelty if now wow factor. It is however not a great image photographically. Essentially, it seems to me, it is little more than a specimen shot, as you would photograph a single flower. The picture says nothing to me, I find the crop with the birds lower section missing somewhat frustrating, infact apart from the striking colour of the bird is a pretty average capture. Had this been a pigeon in the local park, it wouldn't get a second look

With all due respect it seems that you have stalked your prey, used a long lens and bagged another trophy so to speak.

I would welcome your comments

[Ian]

Re: Saddle-billed Stork

As you have posted this in critique thats what I'm gonna do Its my feeling that whilst this picture is of an undoubtedly spectacular and colourful bird, and for us Brits it something that we would never see in its natural habitat, without a visit to SA, therefore it has a certain novelty if now wow factor. It is however not a great image photographically. Essentially, it seems to me, it is little more than a specimen shot, as you would photograph a single flower. The picture says nothing to me, I find the crop with the birds lower section missing somewhat frustrating, infact apart from the striking colour of the bird is a pretty average capture. Had this been a pigeon in the local park, it wouldn't get a second look

With all due respect it seems that you have stalked your prey, used a long lens and bagged another trophy so to speak.

I would welcome your comments

I can see where Stephen is coming from. I'm very grateful Callie has posted this shot as I have never seen a stork like this before! But as Stephen says, there is something not quite right with the composition - it would probable work a lot better if it were cropped tighter around the head and bill.

The huge contrast between the fdark and light plumage also makes this bird a nightmare for photographers to get the exposure right. By cropping tighter and not having to show the white plumage you could lighteing the black plumage and possibly show some of the texture in the darker areas?

These small issues notwithstanding, that is one magnificent bird and you are so lucky to have these beauties to photograph!

Ian

[Wild Images]

Re: Saddle-billed Stork

I can see where Stephen is coming from. I'm very grateful Callie has posted this shot as I have never seen a stork like this before! But as Stephen says, there is something not quite right with the composition - it would probable work a lot better if it were cropped tighter around the head and bill.

The huge contrast between the fdark and light plumage also makes this bird a nightmare for photographers to get the exposure right. By cropping tighter and not having to show the white plumage you could lighteing the black plumage and possibly show some of the texture in the darker areas?

These small issues notwithstanding, that is one magnificent bird and you are so lucky to have these beauties to photograph!

Ian

Hi Guys
Thanks for the input, reply & critique.
There are 308 species of doves worldwide - I have never seen even pictures of them all. Your rock dove and wood pigeon might be common in UK, but to me they are great to see, and try and shoot. I guess what I am trying to say is we shoot what is available, and we try and do it as well as the ambient light allows us too.
This stork is, as mentioned, a nightmare exposure-wise. Depending on the calibration of one's monitor, the black will show detail in a leasser or greater affect. The whites here has detail too, so overall it gives a good idea of the plumage, and the bill.
Cropping is subjective. Yes, just the head would have been better but then the red dot on the chest would be gone as well as the plumage detail. I am a birder, and I shoot bird details and this is the more important criterium here for me. These birds are 1,5 m tall, and there are about 60 breeding pairs in Kruger, this shows you that they are not easy to see, approach or shoot. When you get them, you shoot in the few seconds they are available.
So as far as a picture that will be presented at a Photoclub or salon, this will not work, I have been there, I do not like the way these clubs operate and have my own style, breaking rules and looking for the unusual in all I try to shoot. This was not an attempt at showing a winner, this is showing a unique bird which most people do not even know exists.
But as said, I appreciate feedback, as one gets set in ones own way of doing things.
Reagrds

[Tom]

Re: Saddle-billed Stork

When the image first appeared on my screen the beak looked as if it had been hand painted. So I was wondering if Callie added any extra saturation or contrast.
Other than not being able to see the feet and the overall crop being a little tight, I find the image absolutely fine. The whites have managed just about to avoid any blow-out and the blacks show enough velvety detail and at the best of times this is not easy (for me anyhow). And we are presented with a lovely close up of a bird that otherwise we may never be able to see.
So perhaps these images and other wildlife shots deserve a forum of their own where they can be seen in a manner that the photographer intends them to be viewed.
Tom

[spl]

Re: Saddle-billed Stork

no no that bill is natural - incredible ain't it? As Callie says these birds are almost an endangered species now so we are really priviledged to get a pic of one of them up here.

[Pops]

Re: Saddle-billed Stork

I'm just pleased to see photographs of any wildlife from other parts of the world. This may not win any awards but it's a winner to me.
I'm fascinated by that small section of red plummage at the throat. Looks almost like it has been stuck on.

[Stephen]

Re: Saddle-billed Stork

So perhaps these images and other wildlife shots deserve a forum of their own where they can be seen in a manner that the photographer intends them to be viewed.
Tom

Tom there is already a category in the gallery for Birds. As for the forum, any photo offered for critique can be shown in the critique forum. If someone wants to draw attention to an album or particular photo, perhaps they could make peeps aware in the Photo gallery forum, where I would be not unhappy to see any comments put

[Ian]

Re: Saddle-billed Stork

Hi Guys
Thanks for the input, reply & critique.
There are 308 species of doves worldwide - I have never seen even pictures of them all. Your rock dove and wood pigeon might be common in UK, but to me they are great to see, and try and shoot. I guess what I am trying to say is we shoot what is available, and we try and do it as well as the ambient light allows us too.
This stork is, as mentioned, a nightmare exposure-wise. Depending on the calibration of one's monitor, the black will show detail in a leasser or greater affect. The whites here has detail too, so overall it gives a good idea of the plumage, and the bill.
Cropping is subjective. Yes, just the head would have been better but then the red dot on the chest would be gone as well as the plumage detail. I am a birder, and I shoot bird details and this is the more important criterium here for me. These birds are 1,5 m tall, and there are about 60 breeding pairs in Kruger, this shows you that they are not easy to see, approach or shoot. When you get them, you shoot in the few seconds they are available.
So as far as a picture that will be presented at a Photoclub or salon, this will not work, I have been there, I do not like the way these clubs operate and have my own style, breaking rules and looking for the unusual in all I try to shoot. This was not an attempt at showing a winner, this is showing a unique bird which most people do not even know exists.
But as said, I appreciate feedback, as one gets set in ones own way of doing things.
Reagrds

Callie, you've explained your thinking well and I'm sure we all appreciate that

Watch you for your Picture of the Day tomorrow!

Ian

[Archangel]

Re: Saddle-billed Stork

Our most beautiful stork
this is a male, note the yellow wattle and dark eys. The females lack the wattle but have light eyes with a yellow rim

Hello Callie,

I would say that this is an unusual bird in an ordinary image. Judging from your writtings and the information you provide about the stork (male - female), I assume that your intention is to give us an idea about storks in general and not so much about judging the image as a whole. I guess I agree with your intention then


Regards
George

[Tom]

Re: Saddle-billed Stork

Tom there is already a category in the gallery for Birds. As for the forum, any photo offered for critique can be shown in the critique forum. If someone wants to draw attention to an album or particular photo, perhaps they could make peeps aware in the Photo gallery forum, where I would be not unhappy to see any comments put

I would be wrong to consider the above as unreasonable Stephen

[Pol]

Re: Saddle-billed Stork

My own feelings are that this forum is specifically for critique of the photo rather than discussion or education about specific birds which is more ideally done in Birdforum

Pol

[joefoto]

Re: Saddle-billed Stork

I saw a saddle billed stork from about 200 yards away in Botswana last year. I think it is amazing to have any shot, much less one with this level of technical quality. I'm sure that photographic art was a secondary consideration when this photo was taken. Bottom line, I like it, and that's enough for me.

Joe

[Stephen]

Re: Saddle-billed Stork

I saw a saddle billed stork from about 200 yards away in Botswana last year. I think it is amazing to have any shot, much less one with this level of technical quality. I'm sure that photographic art was a secondary consideration when this photo was taken. Bottom line, I like it, and that's enough for me.

Joe

Perfectly reasonable point of view Joe. The above photo along with others are all in Callies gallery for you to enjoy. The fact remains however that if posted in this Critique forum, peeps are entitled to express their feeling on an image from a photographic and artistic viewpoint and say what they feel are its good and bad points, how they think it could be improved, if indeed it could be. Using the Critique forum as a showcase is not its prime function Callie has in fairness already acknowledged he is up for Critique.

Have you any further comments to make on his photo that are helpful and constructive?

[coupekid]

Re: Saddle-billed Stork

Our most beautiful stork
this is a male, note the yellow wattle and dark eys. The females lack the wattle but have light eyes with a yellow rim

Hi,

I have read al lthe comments posted here, and would agree with most of them in all honesty!

It is indeed a great shot, and one that I would be pleased with, however, I would also agree with Stephen regarding the crop.

It would have been nice to have the seen th whole bird, and possibly a little of its surroundings. That said, I also appreciate from a birder point of view, it is an excellent study piece. Keep them coming, and if you do not want critique, maybe post the shot on the 'general' board for discussion.

Cheers,
Ben