p.2 #6 · Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve (image heavy)
AMAZING eagle/landscape series, Mitesh!! Thanks for taking us along on your trip by shooting all the scenic photos. The scenery is fantastic, but let's not forget the eagles. my favorite is number 14. You caught the wing position at the right moment. You nailed it!
p.2 #7 · Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve (image heavy)
what a delightful set, mitesh. loved the mix and the variety. I see that you are not completely happy with the 7D2 as eric indicated. great images nevertheless.
TFS
p.2 #11 · Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve (image heavy)
Chris_88 wrote:
This is incredible. Very hard to pick a favorite. I like the EIF shots, but the wider angle landscape shots, in particular 22, 23, 27, are very impressive, too.
Thanks very much, Chris! Glad you enjoyed them!
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runakid wrote:
Don't know where to begin but all were and are wonderful. Thanks for going so we can sit here and enjoy your wonderful pictures- really masterpieces.
dan
Thanks a lot, Dan, and I'm really glad you enjoyed viewing them!
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MS PHOTO wrote:
Wow, what more can I say. Outstanding
Paul
p.2 #12 · Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve (image heavy)
eyelaser wrote:
Ok, now that I got that out of the way, a few comments....first, I loved the comment you made about having mental images of what you wanted to photograph...having that "checklist" served you very well in accomplishing your photographic goal. All too easy to, no pun intended, focus on the main subject and forget about the stage, backdrop, whatever and you most certainly came away with some breath taking images of Haines' magnificent scenery. I think those images, with the eagles being observers of the mountains and landscape, in fact, are the strongest and the ones I would be printing. The close ups are all wonderful with the calling eagle and 4, 6,12, 14 20, 25 also top choices.(I keep going back and might just add the whole lot to the favorites soon!)
So glad you got what you wanted....Geoff suggested you might want to chuck your 7D2 in the river...and considering the amount of equipment you brought (24-70 100-400, 200-400, 800) you'd hardly miss it on the plane flight back....I share your love-hate with that camera (misery loves company )...but you do seem to have gotten some striking images with it so I'd likely give it another chance at least until April when the 1DxM2 comes out...then ditch the sonofabitch .
Also really glad that Geoff was a much better host than we were with him as he actually produced birds to photograph and not 60mph winds in a driving snow storm...I'm sure you will have the occasional image that you still haven't shared and will be looking forward to them.
Eric...Show more →
Thanks so much for the kind words, Eric! This was my first photography trip, and I had challenged myself to use this opportunity to show some development as a photographer. I haven't had much time to shoot this year, or even participate in the forum often, but I gave a lot of thought to my work so far and how I envisioned it progressing. I think this set was a step in the right direction, and I have come away from this experience with a list of things that I can improve upon.
As for the 7D2, I think in hindsight that I was being a bit unreasonable in expecting consistently sharp results when shooting at long focal lengths using slowish shutter speeds and high ISO. You will be happy to know that the camera is with me on its way safely back from Alaska .
Geoff was a great host, and a lot of fun to shoot with. We mentioned more than once how much fun it would have been to have you along, so we'll be sure to twist your arm next time!
p.2 #13 · Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve (image heavy)
surfnron wrote:
A great set Mitesh. I'm with Eric - as much as I enjoyed the eagle shots, the landscapes with eagles in them are stronger. If you decide to print any of these, I think the landscapes would be a better reminder of your trip ~ Ron
Thanks, Rondo! I personally enjoyed shooting the eagles in their environment with the vast mountain landscape as a backdrop much more than the in-your-face close ups or action. I think those types of images "speak" to the viewer in a much more meaningful and emotive way.
p.2 #14 · Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve (image heavy)
Tim Kuhn wrote:
I'm really glad you decided to shoot and share so many of the wider shots from your trip Mitesh. In my mind they steal the show. I know how difficult it is to break with the order of the day, photographing eagles, and then shift into the mindset of trying to capture the environment and all the non eagle beauty of the area you visiting. I think you did a marvelous job of that, kudos for that I like that you left the blue light blue in the landscapes, that works very nicely and conveys the tranquil feel of the moment as well as translating the dim light and the difficulties that brings. For the wider shots my picks are 1, love the feel of that one and 8, a marvelously sublime shot. Looking at the eagle shots and the exif data I'm reminded of shooting eagles in my neck of woods during our winter eagle season, it isn't easy. I think you did a great job getting sharp shots and the correct WB in your processed images. I can also still hear the echos of your head exploding from having to work with multiple targets and the decisions/challenges that presents 12 is my pick of the birdies, I like so much about that image. There is just the right amount of blowing snow, the wind blown feathers, the expression, the flow of the image and overall comp make that one a true standout for me. I might suggest cropping or removing the bare log on the bottom right ? For my eyes it's a bit of a distraction to the subtle blend of whites that make up the canvas.
Great work Mitesh, I'm sure you guys loved every minute of it!
Thanks so much for the thoughtful comments, Tim! Glad you enjoyed the set, because your suggestions and guidance in the past have helped me tremendously.
As for the technicals, I have seen the EXIF in your posts before so I knew that getting sharp shots should be possible at 1/800 or 1/640. Of course, at those speeds, the keeper rate on action wasn't anything to write home about .
p.2 #15 · Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve (image heavy)
unclechuck wrote:
Incredible series! Great shots literally 'in context' gives the closer eagle images a sense of scale and place.
Your mental picture(s) are a joy to view.
Charles
Thanks a lot, Charles!
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Shasoc wrote:
You definitely captured the emotion of being there with these images, Mitesh. Your set shows the excitement of the action and the serenity of the place. Great techs and tasteful compositions make this set a masterpiece. Well done!
Socrate
Thank you very much, Socrate — that means a lot coming from you!
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teked wrote:
Spectacular images, Mitesh. Love some of your takes on the landscapes. #18 is superb. What a gorgeous portrait with a lovely background.
Ed
Glad you enjoyed the set, Ed, and thanks for the compliments!
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mabidally wrote:
Super set, you capture the birds and the mood of the place beautifully.
Thanks, Mohammed!
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can0nfan2379 wrote:
Awesome Mitesh! Can't believe the number of birds in #27 - what an amazing sight.
Thanks, Ryan! The eagle numbers were actually down this year, if you can believe it!
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morris wrote:
this set is a delight to view Mitesh. Great action, wonderful environmental portraits and some super landscapes.
Well done. Are you going back?
Morris
Thanks, Morris, glad you enjoyed the set! I'll definitely go back, just not sure when . I would go back tomorrow if I could!
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Carolyn681 wrote:
Awesome images, all of them. Thank you so much for sharing them as well as your journey from which they arose. Carolyn
Thank you kindly, Carolyn!
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p.2 #16 · Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve (image heavy)
I in awe! What an awesome experience this had to be and you captured it very well. I will probably go thru these images many times because looking at them once do not give them justice. Thanks for sharing!
p.2 #17 · Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve (image heavy)
Absolutely incredible set! Wow! I first picked #5 as my choice but then as I scrolled down I lost track because there are just too many OMG shots here. I wouldn't have any wall space left after a single outing like this.
#27 is just crazy. I think I would need to be heavily medicated if I ever saw such a sight in my life.
p.2 #18 · Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve (image heavy)
mikedec wrote:
Beautiful spot and images. Amazed by the number of Eagles in #27.
Thanks, Mike. I believe I have another image which shows an even greater concentration of eagles in that particular stand of trees!
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Ted ellis wrote:
Nothing less than than the very best Mitesh.
Thank you, Ted!
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martines34 wrote:
What a wonderful variety of such an enjoyable experience.
Thanks for sharing the variety of your experience.
Kudos!
Thanks very much!
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louie champan wrote:
Absolutely stunning work and the landscape shots with the eagles in them are very bit as strong as just the eagle shots. Excellent work.
Thanks for the compliment, Louie!
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Joe Marquez wrote:
Your images made me feel I was there. Thanks for the wonderful experience.
Appreciate that, Joe!
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genemiller wrote:
AMAZING eagle/landscape series, Mitesh!! Thanks for taking us along on your trip by shooting all the scenic photos. The scenery is fantastic, but let's not forget the eagles. my favorite is number 14. You caught the wing position at the right moment. You nailed it!
Gene
Thanks a lot, Gene, glad you enjoyed!
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kdacharya wrote:
what a delightful set, mitesh. loved the mix and the variety. I see that you are not completely happy with the 7D2 as eric indicated. great images nevertheless.
TFS
Thanks, KD. The camera is rarely the problem, its usually the person behind it, and that's what the issue was here .
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Dieps wrote:
Great set Mitesh and thanks for adding the landscapes. We are heading to Alaska next summer and these captures got my heart thump'n a bit.
Thanks, and even though summer in Haines won't look like this and there won't be this many eagles, it will still be beautiful and I'm sure you'll enjoy it next summer!
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tank137 wrote:
Awesome!!!!!! That's a bunch in the tress. Cool!!!
Thanks for sharing enjoyed them all
David
Thanks, David!
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tshore wrote:
Remarkable set. I hope someday to be able to shoot baldies. Meanwhile I will enjoy your posts, and the experience vicariously.
)...but you do seem to have gotten some striking images with it so I'd likely give it another chance at least until April when the 1DxM2 comes out...then ditch the sonofabitch 
.
I like that you left the blue light blue in the landscapes, that works very nicely and conveys the tranquil
12 is my pick of the birdies, I like so much about that image. There is just the right amount of blowing snow, the wind blown feathers, the expression, the flow of the image and overall comp make that one a true standout for me. I might suggest cropping or removing the bare log on the bottom right ? For my eyes it's a bit of a distraction to the subtle blend of whites that make up the canvas.