A random set of images from... VLF Wildlife Competition (first post) - Page 2

*Marc Langille* · 07-31-2008, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by slowpez

That says it all

Thanks slowpez! Much appreciated!

Regards,
Marc

*LaRee* · 07-31-2008, 11:33 PM

Ahhhh...wonderful work Marc. The great egret with the frog is excellent. I can't believe the frog is as sharp as it is being flipped into the egrets mouth. The little droplets of water in the air set it off.
All of these are great work. The framing is outstanding. So impressive that you didn't crop to achieve these compositions. For some reason I can't access the exif in these file with firefox exif viewer. What lens did you use on the Pentax? You must have had some nice long glass, or you got very close!

*roentarre* · 08-01-2008, 01:44 AM

That is really pro level kind of shooting. You will definitely go well and wish you all the best!

The first shot where that frog was about to be digested really really stands out.

*Marc Langille* · 08-01-2008, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by sajmmiller

Great stuff Marc! Perfect timing on all of them.

Originally Posted by xs400

Excellent series. Nicely done.

The Brown Thasher is my favorite.

Thank you both for looking and I am glad you enjoyed them! It seems more than a couple enjoyed the up-close-and-personal image of that Thrasher!

Here's an interesting take: out of curiosity, I posted these on the Canon forums at DPR. Generally the replies were positive, and I had this post:
"I would suggest that the lack of ability to crop has really caused your photos to suffer. The composition in these images doesn’t seem pleasing to me"
Greg

Greg Lavaty's Photo Galleries at pbase.com

Yikes... it's always interesting to hear the thoughts of others...

Regards,
Marc

*Marc Langille* · 08-01-2008, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by Jonson PL

These are beautiful shots; it’s been great hearing your thoughts and experiences from the competition.

Sune: it's my honor and pleasure to share. Thank you for the kind words. It's been a big learning experience in many ways, and amazing in many others!

Originally Posted by maxwell1295

The Killdeer pic almost looks like it's in 3-D and that Brown Thrasher pic is simply amazing. The egret is a great capture. Looks yummy!

That Killdeer got less than 11 feet from me - several times I couldn't get it in focus - too close!!!

Thanks Maxwell for the props and I appreciate you looking.

Regards,
Marc

*Marc Langille* · 08-01-2008, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by wa5am

Awesome Marc!!

Thanks very much for looking too!

Regards,
Marc

distorted_vision · 08-01-2008, 05:10 PM

hey marc.. how are you.. hope all is well..

nice shots mate.. these have come out fantastic! the 1st one is 'killer'

*Marc Langille* · 08-01-2008, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by Peter Zack

Incredible shots Marc. The Egret in action is over the top. Perfect capture at the right second. I've been waiting to see these in larger sizes since the teasers you posted earlier. They certainly do not disappoint! Looking forward to more. And continued good luck!!

Thanks Peter for the kind words and looking in. That first shot has quite a story (unfortunately for me, and it repeated - see below)

Background story:

There had been no activity for over 2 hours, and it was already in the low 90's, so I started to pack up. Unfortunately that was the 2nd time in 3 days I'd just put my 300/2.8 back in the SUV. Literally with one leg in the blind (the rest of me is outside the blind), this pair of Great White Egrets flew in (while the blind is wide open in the back, unzipped - I kid you not), and literally landed 20-30 feet on the other side of the blind!!

All I had was the 500/4.5.... Unfortunately I didn't have a CPL for the 500/4.5, and it happened so fast, I had no time to adjust EV Comp to -1 or higher to avoid some blowout on the highlights.

Very, very frustrating! And it happened twice in 3 days....

Of course, lugging over 16 pounds in just two sets of lenses+bodies+grips means you must plan your entry and exit every time!

Regards,
Marc

*Marc Langille* · 08-01-2008, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by LaRee

Ahhhh...wonderful work Marc. The great egret with the frog is excellent. I can't believe the frog is as sharp as it is being flipped into the egrets mouth. The little droplets of water in the air set it off.
All of these are great work. The framing is outstanding. So impressive that you didn't crop to achieve these compositions. For some reason I can't access the exif in these file with firefox exif viewer. What lens did you use on the Pentax? You must have had some nice long glass, or you got very close!

Hello LaRee!!! Thanks for stopping by and enjoying them. These are all with Canon - sorry!!! Mea culpa....

Pentax images to follow soon though!!!

Smugmugs' made changes so the EXIF is kind of locked down - somewhat irritating! I'll dig them up for you.

Regarding the Egret: I was told it's a tad soft by someone on the Canon DPR forum...

You can also see my other quote in this thread by someone about the framing being unsuitable in his eyes... "the composition in these images doesn't seem pleasing to me..." Wow, it's so subjective! Perhaps the judges will disagree with his opinion.

EXIF... all with the 40D and Sigma 500/4.5 EX APO HSM lens

Great White Egret:
Exposure Time 0.0002s (1/5000)
Aperture f/8.0
ISO 640
Focal Length 500mm (800mm in 35mm)
EV -2/3

Killdeer:
Exposure Time 0.0005s (1/2000)
Aperture f/8.0
ISO 640
Focal Length 500mm (800mm in 35mm)
EV -1/3

Brown Thrasher:
Exposure Time 0.0005s (1/2000)
Aperture f/7.1
ISO 500
Focal Length 500mm (800mm in 35mm)
EV -2/3

Mockingbird:
Exposure Time 0.0006s (1/1600)
Aperture f/6.3
ISO 800
Focal Length 500mm (800mm in 35mm)
EV -1 1/3 (late in the evening shot - trying to keep the shutter speed up)

Regards,
Marc

*Marc Langille* · 08-01-2008, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by roentarre

That is really pro level kind of shooting. You will definitely go well and wish you all the best!

The first shot where that frog was about to be digested really really stands out.

Thanks James! I sincerely appreciate the fact that you consider my work at the pro level. Perhaps some day! I am hoping for some placings in at least a class or two...

That poor frog was being dunked, flipped around... it was crazy!! Wash, rinse, repeat... again... wash, rinse, repeat...

Regards,
Marc

*Marc Langille* · 08-01-2008, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by distorted_vision

hey marc.. how are you.. hope all is well..

nice shots mate.. these have come out fantastic! the 1st one is 'killer'

Hey Kevin,

I am well, and much lighter from low calorie intake for over a month, and no snack for 7 months...

I am very glad you stopped by and enjoyed them! I hope you are doing well mate!

Cheers,
Marc

KrisK10D · 08-04-2008, 07:42 AM

I don't mind the odd bird shot. What I love is a shot of a bird doing something other than standing in water or sitting in a tree. These are wonderful. If the frog washing Egret wasn't enough we got the Mockingbird doing his insect scary pose. Just wonderful!

*rparmar* · 08-07-2008, 12:41 PM

That is such an amazing sequence!

I "egret" to tell you I have nothing constructive to add to your obvious talent.

*Marc Langille* · 08-07-2008, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by KrisK10D

I don't mind the odd bird shot. What I love is a shot of a bird doing something other than standing in water or sitting in a tree. These are wonderful. If the frog washing Egret wasn't enough we got the Mockingbird doing his insect scary pose. Just wonderful!

Thanks Kris - you are most kind with your comments!

The droplets all over the place really add to the effect in the Egret image. I decided against submitting it for the Fall Fair Competition - saving it for next year.... submitted the Greater Roadrunner (male) image instead.

Between the Grackles, Mockingbirds, and Thrashers, I had plenty of entertainment away from the lake shore...

Cheers,
Marc

cupic · 08-08-2008, 03:21 AM

Thats some of the best that Ive seen

Wonderful crispness

cheers