This shot was taken while in Japan and still using my old Nikon D2H camera. It was shot hand held with a Nikkor 80-400VR lens from the ground. This was 3 swans that were coming in to land in a water logged rice field during their migration back to Siberia. As I followed these amazing birds through my viewfinder I was stunned as they made the final turn they seemed to line up in perfect order. I shot a few bursts. This was by far the best of them all and I really feel that is my best ever shot not only for 2006 but for my entire camera life. I doubt it will score very well, maybe in the 6's maybe not, but it is a definate Best of 2006 in my life. I know it's a bit grainey etc etc but C'mon... it's a classic... HAHAHAHA!
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Place: 183 out of 712 Avg (all users): 6.1944 Avg (commenters): 7.3846 Avg (participants): 6.1231 Avg (non-participants): 6.4138 Views since voting: 1781 Views during voting: 525 Votes: 355 Comments: 32 Favorites: 3 (view)
oh yea, i recognized the achievement in photo of the lifetime so i give this hot a pure 10. to photograph something like this is really astonishing accomplishment ... congratz.
Marac,
I had to do a lot of scrolling too find out where this placed, and was hurt to see it this far down.
Then I read something that diffused the votes:
I really feel that is my best ever shot not only for 2006 but for my entire camera life.
That's what it's all about really.
You could probably spend the rest of your life trying to find a similar shot, but it will never top this one. Well done!
6 - Nice capture. Toning works quite well, however I wonder about a slight variation to give it a little extra. 720 also, although some quality issues seem to be coming through at this size. Again, perhaps tweaking the tones in pp may have 'used' the grain/etc in some way.
I like the symmetry of this photo. The fact that they all have their wings in almost the exact same position as well as the slightly above each other line they form across the shot is excellent. Great capture.
Wow! How on earth did you get this shot?! Were they flying by your airplane? :) And it was so generous of them to pose so perfectly for you! Cool! Back to bump you up to 9.
There are times when I simply can't put into words what I want.
This is such a case. The timing and composition here is without a doubt,
first-rate and a spectacular moment preserved forever.
Exceptional photograph and one I truly would be proud to have taken!
Adding to my favorites and hope this does well in the challenge.
Great capture! The composition is great. Technically the wings seem blwon and and to me this could use some more dark areas besides the tail end of the swans.
the thumbnail looked fantastic and I thought it would be a winner, but seeing the image close up, it's a bit soft as far as focus is concerned...nonetheless it is a stunning capture 8
The actual capture and the composition here is absolutely awesome. Really nice and crisp focus on the swans. I'd love to see this in colour as I think the B & W makes them blend into the cloud more. Despite the blown out bits on the swans this is an outstanding shot.
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