Re: Arial Ballet
- From: Bob Adler <rgacpa@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: leica@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:20:47 -0700 (PDT)
Thanks Doug,
Your pictures say it all, and say it so beautifully.
I really appreciate the guidance.
Best,
Bob
Bob Adler
Palo Alto, CA
rgacpa@xxxxxxxxx
http://www.raflexions.com
----- Original Message ----
From: "wildlightphoto@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <wildlightphoto@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: leica@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 9:52:14 AM
Subject: Re: Arial Ballet
Bob Adler wrote:
> I'm a bit confused by one think you're suggesting. You say that
> frontal lighting would be good, but then so would shooting from
> the shadow side. Both would lend very different images, especially
> since I wasn't using any fill flash. From what I saw, shooting
> from the shadow side removed any natural "twinkle" in their eyes,
> which I thought made the images. Am I missing something in your
suggestion?
I didn't explain myself well. You are correct, frontal lighting and
shadow-side lighting will produce very different results, either of which
is preferable tot he highly directional side ligthing.
IMHO the eye twinkle is nice but not essential. The idea behind the
twinkle is to provide a point of high contrast were the viewer's attention
is drawn. In the case of the twinkle the high contrast is one of tonal
values, but it cuold just as well have been one of color or texture,
depending on the species. But you do want the viewer's attention to be
drawn to the eye, however it's done (and for this reason the eye must be in
focus!)
Here are a few examples where something other than the twinkle is used:
http://www.wildlightphoto.com/birds/strigidae/eeow02.jpg
http://www.wildlightphoto.com/birds/ardeidae/bnhe00.jpg
http://www.wildlightphoto.com/birds/ardeidae/greg03.jpg
http://www.wildlightphoto.com/birds/falconidae/merl03.jpg
http://www.wildlightphoto.com/birds/turdidae/mobl00.jpg
One thing you'll notice is that the backgrounds in these photos are bland
or non-existant; they're not competing with the bird for attention (why I
like 'good bokeh' lenses). I'd rather have a bit of something in the
background to suggest habitat but never so much that it competes with the
bird:
http://www.wildlightphoto.com/birds/phasianidae/sogr02.jpg
I'll take a bland background before an excessively cluttered one.
Also in these pictures you can see that there's some reflections in the
eyes, just not as pronounced as the twinkle from direct light.
> Your input will probably entice me to go back sooner rather than later!
Good! I'm looking forward to seeing your results.
Doug Herr
Birdman of Sacramento
http://www.wildlightphoto.com
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