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Archive 2013 · A Few & a Question.

tfoltz
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · A Few & a Question.

Things are starting to pick up down at the wetlands and in a few weeks things hopefully
will be pumping. Here are a few from the last couple of afternoons.

The question is what do you prefer for bids inflight?...
Wings up or wings down? On occasion I've heard several nature photographers
debate about this and was wondering your preference. I prefer wings down.

Thanks for looking.

-Tim

Forster's Tern with a bribe for a lucky female.

Short-billed Dowitcher

Red Knot

Forster's Tern, wings up

Forster's Tern, wings down

Edited on Apr 05, 2013 at 04:09 AM · View previous versions

Apr 04, 2013 at 10:10 PM

jbledsoe
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · A Few & a Question.

Excellent set there Tim

As for your question, I'd say it depends. Generally, wings down, but in the case of the Tern above I like the one with wings up much better. It just seems a bit more dynamic.

Jeff

Apr 04, 2013 at 10:14 PM

birdied
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · A Few & a Question.

Beautiful set Tim !!! Loving them all .

Wings down for me, love how you can see the pattern of the feathers.

Birdie

Apr 04, 2013 at 10:16 PM

Conrad Tan
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · A Few & a Question.

Great set brother!! Wings down for me.

Apr 04, 2013 at 10:23 PM

Tim Kuhn
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · A Few & a Question.

Very nice work Tim!!! I like the first one the most.

For me wings down is the easiest to pull off so more often than not it looks nicer. Like in your example, the wing up is poorly lit so wing down looks nicer. Especially on dark birds most people get the under wings way under exposed, they are quite difficult to get right. To argue against those that already voiced opinions, why do you all like take off shots with the bird completely outstretched

To be honest, I do like them both equally. It is according the type of bird and what the bird is doing.

Tim

Apr 04, 2013 at 11:06 PM

kmunroe
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · A Few & a Question.

great set Tim.. usually wings down for me also

Apr 05, 2013 at 04:03 AM

mike717
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · A Few & a Question.

Great series Tim! Another vote for wings down with the exception of those times when the bird is banking and / or the pose allows some light under the wings.

Mike

Apr 05, 2013 at 07:03 AM

KCollett
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · A Few & a Question.

Good looking set Tim. For me, the debate is wingy. There are a lot of variables that influence what I prefer at any give time - pose, angle of the bird to the camera, are you shooting down on the bird, or up to the bird, bird coloration & pattern, and so on. I wonder if the wings down preference is influenced by what you are used to seeing in print etc, esp for some popular birds, like the bald eagle for instance.

Apr 05, 2013 at 07:13 AM

DonGut
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · A Few & a Question.

I like your knot best. (Can I say that on a forum post!!

). I find wings up or down has no answer. I prefer the birds coming at me so the wing position can look good in all positions. IMO Don

Apr 05, 2013 at 07:54 AM

mitesh
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · A Few & a Question.

Great set, Tim! Last one would be my pick of the set

Apr 05, 2013 at 08:00 AM

Steve Shinn
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · A Few & a Question.

Generally, wings down. BUT it depends on the bird and the situation; with soaring birds it varies, hummers are usually a blur but good both ways, flying waterfowl usually look better either down or braised with a nice side dish.

Apr 05, 2013 at 10:24 AM

surfnron
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · A Few & a Question.

Very nicely done Tim. In a general sense, probably wings down, but it depends on the bird too - some look better one way or the other, and then it's hard to beat a white bird showing translucent wings.

~ Ron

Apr 05, 2013 at 11:09 AM

brimull
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · A Few & a Question.

Very nice. The images of the tern are outstanding. Wings up or down? No favorite for me, either can enhance the overall composition depending on the individual environment.

Apr 05, 2013 at 11:29 AM

David Leask
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · A Few & a Question.

Fine shots Tim. On the question of up or down, as they say in Scotland, I'm easy-osey. In other words I like both

David

Apr 05, 2013 at 01:57 PM

KirkB
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · A Few & a Question.

Cool set Tim, I think I can hear the Terns from my house in Yorba Linda.

2, 3, and 5 are the standouts for me.

In answer to your question... I definitely go both ways, it all depends on how the light is hitting those wings.

Kirk

Apr 05, 2013 at 02:50 PM

acjd
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · A Few & a Question.

Depends upon the bird. Generally down, but, for example, I've seen geese wings up that look good too.

Apr 05, 2013 at 04:00 PM

Major_K
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · A Few & a Question.

Awesome set on the wetland Tim!

I prefer BIF wings down. But top side or banking is best.

Khai

Apr 05, 2013 at 05:02 PM

BeeBalm
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · A Few & a Question.

Tim, I pick number two as my favorite and I prefer wings down. BeeBalm

Apr 05, 2013 at 06:41 PM

Charlie Shugart
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · A Few & a Question.

Terrific images here, Tim.
#1- Isn't that tern a bit young to be getting married?

His head isn't completely black.
Wings up? or down?
Like many things- sometimes I have trouble making up my mind; sometimes I don't

.
Charlie

Apr 05, 2013 at 07:19 PM

Frogfish
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · A Few & a Question.

Lovely set TIm - after seeing 'that' photo I now know how you get that perspective !

Wings up/down. Depends on the light and the amount of detail shown. Either/or (that doesn't help does it).

Apr 06, 2013 at 02:23 AM


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