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Flight of the Swans
Flight of the Swans
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Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Best of 2006 (Advanced Editing V*)
Camera: Nikon D200
Lens: Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR
Location: Japan
Date: Feb 8, 2006
Date Uploaded: Jan 7, 2007

 This shot was taken while in Japan and still using my old Nikon D2H camera. It was shot hand held with a Nikkor 80-400VR lens from the ground. This was 3 swans that were coming in to land in a water logged rice field during their migration back to Siberia. As I followed these amazing birds through my viewfinder I was stunned as they made the final turn they seemed to line up in perfect order. I shot a few bursts. This was by far the best of them all and I really feel that is my best ever shot not only for 2006 but for my entire camera life. I doubt it will score very well, maybe in the 6's maybe not, but it is a definate Best of 2006 in my life. I know it's a bit grainey etc etc but C'mon... it's a classic... HAHAHAHA!

Statistics
Place: 183 out of 712
Avg (all users): 6.1944
Avg (commenters): 7.3846
Avg (participants): 6.1231
Avg (non-participants): 6.4138
Views since voting: 1616
Views during voting: 525
Votes: 355
Comments: 32
Favorites: 3 (view)

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AuthorThread
 08/06/2008 05:01:19 PM
Great Capture love how they are above the clouds, they look like Trumpeter Swans they come to Arkansas near us every winter.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/02/2008 05:14:38 PM
One of those - "wish I'd taken that" image for me - VERY cool!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/30/2007 03:31:59 PM
oh yea, i recognized the achievement in photo of the lifetime so i give this hot a pure 10. to photograph something like this is really astonishing accomplishment ... congratz.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/27/2007 04:23:21 AM
Marac,
I had to do a lot of scrolling too find out where this placed, and was hurt to see it this far down.

Then I read something that diffused the votes:

I really feel that is my best ever shot not only for 2006 but for my entire camera life.

That's what it's all about really.
You could probably spend the rest of your life trying to find a similar shot, but it will never top this one. Well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
01/25/2007 04:40:16 PM
6 - Nice capture. Toning works quite well, however I wonder about a slight variation to give it a little extra. 720 also, although some quality issues seem to be coming through at this size. Again, perhaps tweaking the tones in pp may have 'used' the grain/etc in some way.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2007 10:39:38 PM
absolutely blows me away, like light escaping from heaven.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2007 01:18:51 PM
I like the symmetry of this photo. The fact that they all have their wings in almost the exact same position as well as the slightly above each other line they form across the shot is excellent. Great capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/23/2007 10:25:17 AM
stunning!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/23/2007 06:41:56 AM
Perfect harmony.....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2007 08:08:25 PM
wow how did you get that picture? 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/19/2007 08:15:09 PM
Wow, nice action shot. I just wish this was a lot sharper.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/19/2007 06:31:50 PM
Excellent capture, love the line created dy the swans
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/19/2007 03:12:13 AM
this looked like those motion-picture slides! i love it!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/17/2007 07:21:51 PM
Wow! How on earth did you get this shot?! Were they flying by your airplane? :) And it was so generous of them to pose so perfectly for you! Cool! Back to bump you up to 9.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/16/2007 09:59:13 PM
There are times when I simply can't put into words what I want.
This is such a case. The timing and composition here is without a doubt,
first-rate and a spectacular moment preserved forever.
Exceptional photograph and one I truly would be proud to have taken!
Adding to my favorites and hope this does well in the challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/16/2007 09:24:05 AM
W:O:W !!! this is a winner ! FANTASTIC. 10. nothing more to add
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/15/2007 06:31:01 PM
Amazing timing on this one!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/14/2007 04:13:49 PM
Great capture! The composition is great. Technically the wings seem blwon and and to me this could use some more dark areas besides the tail end of the swans.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/14/2007 06:18:05 AM
the thumbnail looked fantastic and I thought it would be a winner, but seeing the image close up, it's a bit soft as far as focus is concerned...nonetheless it is a stunning capture 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/14/2007 03:24:02 AM
Amazing catch, really lovely.
Wings are a little overexposed?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/13/2007 05:11:12 PM
B&W works really good with this picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/13/2007 02:27:45 PM
Lost detail in highlights
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/13/2007 01:55:46 PM
Its a shame the quality is lost for us to view.
I bet your Image is Brill on your screen.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/12/2007 09:12:56 PM
Neat capture. Formation flying.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/12/2007 03:39:04 PM
The actual capture and the composition here is absolutely awesome. Really nice and crisp focus on the swans. I'd love to see this in colour as I think the B & W makes them blend into the cloud more. Despite the blown out bits on the swans this is an outstanding shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/12/2007 01:25:41 PM
good capture, whites lack detail.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/12/2007 11:38:48 AM
Something about this suggests that it was not as easy as it looks to take this one...

I like the rhythm, and of course 3 swans is pretty amazing, but there seems to be a bit of 'low contrast' issue here...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/12/2007 10:16:32 AM
You never think of swans flying? Aren't those geese? Love the line and the high contrast. 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/12/2007 08:47:00 AM
Nice catch! Love the composition. It seems a bit dull and flat, though. Maybe more contrast would help.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/12/2007 08:17:24 AM
Nice simple BW very good 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/12/2007 04:44:24 AM
lovely
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/12/2007 02:19:32 AM
Excellent capture but slightly overexposed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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