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: 1159 Views during voting: 355 Votes: 209 Comments: 19 Favorites: 1 (view)
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..
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...
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.
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.
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