Some creative aussie bird pics FZ30

I've been trying to go beyond just trying to shoot a clear image of my subjects. I've actually been trying to get creative and compose some creative images.

Maybe I'm starting to overcome the concerns of the technical aspects of the camera (by familiarity) and actually concentrate on the subject.

What do you think?, advice, comments and criticism welcomed!

Please keep in mind I've only had the camera a couple of months and am new to photography in general

This maned wood duck was going to look boring in a concrete stormwater retention basin. So I backed away, using 3mpEZ and managed to get a vertical reflection and thereby avoiding the concrete edging. In doing so it confuses the eye because I provided no horizon. You have the entire background as a free falling vertical reflection, with only the duck as an anchor, which in turn is reflected verically.

This gives a dramatic effect (IMHO) to an otherwise plain image.



The egret was a bit hit and miss but I anticipated its flight and got the effect I was after by shooting into the sun with the sparkling water. Not as sharp as sun over the shoulder of course, but gives an atmoshere of the moment.



These rainbow lorriket were preening themselves on a branch. Rather than shoot from below, I scrambled up a sandstone ridge and managed to get slightly above them. Shooting at them across the void of the valley really improved the composition.



Thanks for looking and any comments in advance
Regards
Steve.

just noticed the wildlife thread, should have posted there
sorry!

steve

Actually, I'm appreciative that you did post here as your images are a good example of taling both a technical and compositional approach.

Really nice images!
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Telecorder (Dave)
FZee5/FZee30+RD-S+OlyTC1.7X
Dee50+Nikkor18-70DX+Tam70-300LDKitties

Now with such an introduction I am curious, however these seem the slowest loading pics I have seen on this forum. After 15 minutes of waiting I basically only can see the top part of the first 2, the third refuses to even start loading. I'll give up for now.

Any alternative host you can use to repost the pictures? Or maybe I'll just check back later and it will be OK.

Thanks for sharing anyway.

Regards-Ackab

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Panasonic Lumix shots gallery:
http://cellbiol.com/cellbiol_photos/

Fuji F30 shots gallery:
http://cellbiol.com/photography/gallery/fuji_f30/

Steve, We always like to see Pana pictures posted here.

Don

I returned to your post and the pics loaded in a second. Misteries of the internet.

I have to thank you for posting those and explaining the mental process you went through to take the pictures. This is really stimulating. And the pictures are special indeed, not the kind that you see everyday on these forums. Many congratulations for getting to 'the next step'.

Keep posting!

Regards-Ackab

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Panasonic Lumix shots gallery:
http://cellbiol.com/cellbiol_photos/

Fuji F30 shots gallery:
http://cellbiol.com/photography/gallery/fuji_f30/

The pics are only 800*600. but an earlier thread said photobucket was really slow. I had no problem uploading. But interestingly it took a few minutes for me to reply to you. Maybe dpreview is a bit bogged down.

Steve

Thanks Dave, I'm enjoying the FZ30 and getting out taking photos. This site and the panny forum members are great inspirations!

Steve

Thanks Ackab

It's a huge learning curve but it's a fun experience. It's a real luxury with digital photography to be able to take many shots and work out what works and what doesn't. To do that with film would cost a fortune.

Steve

I like this very mcuh.

It seemed that you had used flash to light up the objects. Corrrect ?

AussieSteve wrote:



tony
http://www.pbase.com/twg

I love the Duck & Egret shots especially. For some reason, the 3rd one looked a bit centered to tweak my artistic sense. But thanks for posting - let's see more!
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Just cruisin' ...



EffZeeOneVeeTwo, EffZeeThirty, Tizzy (who captured the Eagle)

These are good px on the collective thread or an individual thread. Thanks for sharing
whvick
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Hi Tony,

Thanks.
No flash used, just natural lighting. They were too far away for flash.

Hi John,

Thanks for the comments.

I agree with you on the 3rd photo. It should be cropped to put the birds off centre.

Steve

Steve,

I love the post. Your attempts to go beyond the mere technical photo are really interesting. For me the first photo works really well, with the duck behing the only thing to hang on to.

You are obviously enjoying the camera and the process, great to see.
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cheers
Rafael - Digital Newbie (FZ30)

Hi Rafael,

Thanks for the comments. I'm just trying to think of the composition now before I push the button.

steve