thunderbird wrote:
Hi Ron,
Sorry to hear about your computer downtime.
The whole series look sharp! I like #1 for its vivid details, and the clear reflection. The composition seems to be very symmetrical, not that there's necessarily anything wrong with it. I'm just wondering if there is an alternative. #7 has got good exposure on the bird. Question: how did the background get blacked out? Did you use a flash?
Welcome back.
Andy
Thanx Andy. I struggle with "reflection" shots - how should it be cropped? If you would like, I could send you the uncropped file and maybe you could do better - I'd like to see your input. On #7, it was easy. I just moved the sun to where the heron was in direct sunlight and the bg was in full shade. Spot metering helped too.
Ron
Tim Kuhn wrote:
Great job with the tubes Ron! You tried some things that I never think to and that has given me some inspiration I never think to use tubes at the long end of focus, you have some interesting results. I'm really liking the detail on the bird in 2, wow does that add a lot to the image. The fantastic light just piles on the beauty. I too was WOWed when I go to 5. Very cool indeed. I know the temptation to shoot water lilies, I struggle with getting them right so I can't offer anything there. I do like the B&W conversion, if that was mine I would print it.
Thanx Tim, but I hate to spoil it for you. I didn't use the extension tube until after I shot the gbh. I've wanted to shoot that water plant for several years, but it's small enough that I couldn't do it with the 400. I was lucky enough to find it early while the drops were still there. The conversion - if I printed every shot I wanted to, there would be no empty wall space, and the photsos would be several feet thick. .
Ron
Sirfishalot wrote:
Very nice series Ron.
I really like the depth, clarity and 3-D quality of the first GBH. Nice BG and reflections too.
Detail, texture and lighting on the B&W Lilly makes it a gorgeous image. Like Tim said, print that baby! I wonder if you can pull some more tonal range out of it in PP?
Reflections and color in 5 are very pleasing.
JayT
Thanx JayT. On my monitor, I have black to white with no blown highlights - well, maybe a few reflected blown spots. I'm not sure what else I could do. Would you like to give it a try? I'm always happy to learn something new.
Ron
King wrote:
Beautiful images. 10 is a buttonbush flower,Cephalanthus occidentalis.A water loving shrub.
Thanx for the info. Would you happen to know what the plant is in #5?
Ron
A super set Ron and great work with the extension tubes. Must move them up my shopping list.
My top picks are 2, 5, 7 & 8. Beautiful natural greens in # 5.
Martin
Love the refection, sharpness, colors and environment in #1.
Nice isolation and detail in #2.
Love the light reflecting off the water drops in #5.
Nice portrait of a young GBH in #7. I feel I can reach out and touch it it's so good.
I've wanted to shoot that water plant for several years, but it's small enough that I couldn't do it with the 400. I was lucky enough to find it early while the drops were still there. The conversion - if I printed every shot I wanted to, there would be no empty wall space, and the photsos would be several feet thick. 
