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Above the Maelstrom
Above the Maelstrom
MaryO


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study 2012-04 (Advanced Editing VII)
Collection: Herons and Other Water Birds
Camera: Nikon D700
Lens: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR
Location: Great Falls, VA
Date: Apr 5, 2012
Aperture: 8.0
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/250
Galleries: Water, Birds
Date Uploaded: Apr 7, 2012

 Taken during a mini-GTG with Neil at Great Falls, very early in the morning. He was concentrating on beautiful smooth water shots; I went for the wildlife ;-) THRILLED to get this Great Blue Heron just as he got high enough to enter the sunlight in the scene. Can't possibly imagine getting a better shot this month ... or maybe even this year.

PP - cropped (although I like it uncropped, too, but I wanted to show off the bird better), tonemapped in qtpfsgui (pregamma 0.697, mantiuk method, contrast mapping 0.1, saturation factor 1.029, detail factor 1), lightened both layers, slight Guassian blur on base layer, merged in Multiply mode; white balance, levels, increased saturation and contrast and shifted colors a little warmer, lightened and slightly desaturated parts of rocks in lower right, resized, sharpened, added border.

Statistics
Place: 11 out of 275
Avg (all users): 6.7674
Avg (commenters): 8.4167
Avg (participants): 6.7347
Avg (non-participants): 6.8710
Views since voting: 1361
Views during voting: 228
Votes: 129
Comments: 19
Favorites: 3 (view)

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AuthorThread
Sony Alpha a1 II
Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS
 05/08/2012 06:44:22 PM
I'm so glad this did well! It was an 8 from me...

*sniff* *sob* you guys did a gtg at great falls and didn't call? *sniff*
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-7D
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro for Canon
 05/08/2012 03:20:49 PM
Talk about a golden moment!!!! Nice finish my dear.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon Z7II
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
 05/08/2012 01:47:56 PM
Great job Mary; this is a beautiful shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-40D
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
 05/08/2012 01:08:04 PM
Fantastic wildlife capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark III
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0 L USM
 05/08/2012 08:22:17 AM
this photograph is fantastic..the light just touches the bird as he soars over the shadows..
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 05/08/2012 12:20:20 AM
What a magnificent capture, Mary - congratulations! Must have been a sight to behold. Certainly made for a gorgeous photograph!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-6D
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS
 05/08/2012 12:07:56 AM
You did a great job with this shot. I love the tones of the early morning light.

Message edited by author 2012-05-09 23:38:23.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Fujifilm x100
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
 05/07/2012 11:40:46 PM
Wow. Beautiful scene.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR
 05/07/2012 11:02:11 PM
Great shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-1100D
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II
 05/07/2012 02:28:00 PM
This is gorgeous, love the way the light hits the water and the bird, an excellent capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS R6
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM
 05/05/2012 12:37:45 PM
What perfect timing. With the rocks and light, almost looks like a dragon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM
 05/05/2012 11:50:51 AM
the only reason my eye goes to that bird is the title. the action by itself is awesome. beautifully lit (thank nature) and you captured it nicely =)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED
 05/04/2012 03:50:22 PM
Love it!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D500
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM
 05/03/2012 08:40:20 AM
Super shot, great lighting.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon Canon 1d x Mark II
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 FG HSM Art
 05/02/2012 09:35:33 AM
Great capture.

Love the light on the water, and the added bird.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7200
Tamron SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD for Nikon
 05/01/2012 07:24:43 PM
Achingly beautiful - I could look at this all day.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark IV
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 05/01/2012 02:30:52 PM
Nice light and capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Apple iPhone 13
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G
 05/01/2012 01:12:12 PM
Love the light, great timing by the heron and you :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Google Pixel 2
 05/01/2012 10:06:38 AM
Very very nice.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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