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Urban Geometry with Tail Feathers
Urban Geometry with Tail Feathers
Yo_Spiff


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Pigeons (Advanced Editing VII*)
Camera: Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT
Lens: Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Date: Jul 18, 2009
Aperture: 6.3
ISO: 400
Shutter: 1/400
Galleries: Animals, Architecture
Date Uploaded: Jul 20, 2009

 I'm not totally sure this is a pigeon, but if some bird experts nail this as something else, then oh, well.

Spotted these tail feathers hanging over a building structure on Saturday's photowalk. Didn't seem to be moving much, so the bird was either sleeping or dead. Took a couple of shots of it just for grins and giggles, then later on, I realized it might suit this challenge.

Shot at the long and soft end of my 300mm Tammy, so it's not quite as sharp as I would prefer, but fortunately, this is an advanced editing challenge, so I was able to do some selective smoothing and sharpening that helped. I wanted to increase the contrast a bit more, but I could not get any more contrast out of it without destroying details. As this was shot in the shade, the natural contrast of the shot was fairly limited.

Pre-challenge notes:
Probably good for a low 5, though a high 4 would not surprise me. I anticipate this semi-abstract shot being one that has strong appeal for a limited crowd, but I am certain it does not have enough wow factor to come anywhere near the top end of the challenge.

Anticipated critiques:
-Some blotchiness in the shadow area to the lower left may get mentioned. The result of bit-depth limitations.
-Composition and the semi-abstract image may not come off well to some.
-More contrast is likely to be suggested.
-Mostly anticipating a lot of no-comment 5's.

Post-challenge notes:
Well, it appears this really was not a pigeon after all, but it fared ok in spite of it. I considered self-DQ'ing once I found out for sure it was not, but someone whose opinion I respect felt that it fit with the spirit of the challenge. A lot of voters who thought it was just so-so kept the average down, but I can tell from the voting breakdown and comments that many did appreciate my semi-abstract approach to the challenge.

This was shot during Scott Kelby's Worlwide Photowalk on July 18th, 2009.

Oh, and a thanks to bvy for the great title that is much better than the one I had come up with.

Statistics
Place: 41 out of 61
Avg (all users): 5.2201
Avg (commenters): 7.1538
Avg (participants): 4.8182
Avg (non-participants): 5.2955
Views since voting: 1158
Views during voting: 355
Votes: 209
Comments: 19
Favorites: 1 (view)

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AuthorThread
Olympus C-2500L
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D
 08/03/2009 10:51:25 AM
Lovely piece of work - creates a whole new box and effortlessly hops out of it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-7D
Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical(IF)Macro
 07/31/2009 11:03:30 PM
looking at this out of the challenge, it is really a great image..
clean, sharp and well balanced, I love the little giggle factor with the tail feathers..

nicely done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sigma DP1x
07/31/2009 09:38:24 PM
I've been out of touch the last week or so. I meant to follow up on your entry, as I didn't get around to voting. Anyway, I sort of remember hastily suggesting this title -- probably in jest. But really, I love it! A quirky shot needs a quirky title.

Sorry this didn't do better for you, but I guess it landed about where you expected. And you got some good comments.

Really, it's not a pigeon? Well, then it's some other intrusive bird poking its beak where it shouldn't. There have been far greater shoehorns.

Good geometry (of course) and really nice black and white conversion. I can safely say that in blind voting (and with that awesome title) this would have gotten a seven from me. Not that it would have put you in ribbon territory, but still...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS
 07/29/2009 02:27:46 PM
Cool, well seen!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Fujifilm x100
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
 07/29/2009 12:28:34 AM
Man, one of my favorites. Very unique...lines, contrast, detail of the tail feathers...great stuff. Look at the comment scores vs the non comment. That's a big difference, this image was appreciated by more than just a few. Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Canon EOS-6D
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS
 07/28/2009 08:58:44 PM
Interesting shot. It looks like the tail of a Dove not so much a Pigeon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-40D
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
 07/28/2009 08:47:32 PM
Nice subtle piece. Pleasing composition.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX APO IF HSM for Canon
 07/28/2009 11:00:09 AM
cute! nice idea with the lines!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Pentax K-R
Pentax DA L 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL
 07/28/2009 10:54:52 AM
Like this a lot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM
 07/28/2009 09:52:04 AM
Extremely creative & touching image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-50D
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM
 07/27/2009 06:58:18 AM
Does not look like the tail feathers of a pigeon to me... more like a swallow. Pigeons have square tails, not pointed like this. Otherwise a good photo, but does not fit with the theme.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D800
Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO IF HSM for Nikon
 07/26/2009 03:58:25 PM
Unique perspective, is he casing the joint?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
 07/26/2009 09:33:04 AM
Good seeing, nice tones.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/24/2009 02:56:05 PM
Very unique - 10 !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-7D
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM
 07/23/2009 02:31:45 PM
NICE, something different. I will totally reward you for being bold my friend! 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS R5 Mark II
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 07/22/2009 05:31:37 PM
So simple, yet there is so much to look at.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus E-410
Olympus 14-42mm f.3.5-5.6 ED Zuiko Digital Zoom
 07/22/2009 04:57:18 AM
interesting geometry
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 07/22/2009 04:38:53 AM
VERY nice use of geometrics AND sneaking a bird in there!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Fujifilm x100
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
 07/22/2009 12:10:37 AM
Wow.Great contrast and lines.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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