DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest
 
Challenge Entries
Portfolio Images
This image is not part of a public portfolio.
River Dance
2nd PlaceRiver Dance
SandyP


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Birds IV (Standard Editing)
Camera: Canon EOS-5D Mark III
Date: May 1, 2019
Aperture: 2.8
ISO: 400
Shutter: 1/1250
Galleries: Birds
Date Uploaded: May 6, 2019
[May. 19th, 2019 10:46:19 PM]

Ohmygoodness, this score! I was SO NOT expecting this to do this well. I'm absolutely stoked... but really surprised.

It's funny someone commented that I got heavy handed on the processing. I chuckled because I did less processing on this than maybe any photo I've ever entered. I did do a little clean-up and noise reduction on the water, but as you can see by this original, unedited RAW file (except cropping it to match my entry), there's not much processing to it at all. It was just the way the water looked.

Anyway, THANK YOU for this amazing score! I'm still so surprised and grateful:

Here's the original:

Statistics
Place: 2 out of 51
Avg (all users): 7.5769
Avg (participants): 7.2500
Avg (non-participants): 7.9583
Views since voting: 3316
Views during voting: 124
Votes: 52
Comments: 17
Favorites: 1 (view)

Please log in or register to add your comments!

AuthorThread
Canon EOS-5D Mark III
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0 L USM
 05/26/2019 04:58:40 AM
So beautiful Sandy. Stunning image!! Congratulations 😁
Sony Alpha a7R III
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II
 05/21/2019 12:09:27 PM
This composition is absolutely is a pure beauty. The sharpness on the eyes is perfect. The background color keep all our attention to the main subject. Great shot. Congratulation for the red ribbon

Message edited by author 2019-05-21 12:22:47.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon Canon 1d x Mark II
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 FG HSM Art
 05/21/2019 10:56:38 AM
Belated Congratulations, but I've had a good excuse. I thought this was a very beautiful entry.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D700
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
 05/21/2019 08:28:58 AM
Sandy, this is so, so beautiful. The background looks as if it's been stroked by silver feathers. There are so many beauties in this challenge, yours is my favourite.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS R5
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM
 05/20/2019 06:02:45 PM
My favorite of the challenge. Congrats on a beautiful image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-6D
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM
 05/20/2019 11:29:34 AM
*gasp* Sandy!

You use that camera just as if it were part of your mind. Simple as thinking about it and you come up with a stunning image!

You're amazing!

Congratulations on this RIBBON!

  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark IV
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 USM
 05/20/2019 11:16:40 AM
Originally posted by vawendy:
Is that a cattle egret?

We just call them snow egrets. I'm not anything close to a bird expert tho. I just find them beautiful and graceful and there are hundreds of them nesting over the river right now, so I have an annual field trip to the trees they call home during this time of year and try to get my next favorite image of them.
Sony Alpha a1 II
Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS
 05/20/2019 09:22:37 AM
I knew the water looked like that. I've seen it before, too. :)

It's just that the denoising left it a little too smooth. I think a bit of grain coming through would look a little more real?

Congrats!! Awesome score!! Is that a cattle egret?
Canon EOS R6
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM
 05/20/2019 04:33:07 AM
Outstanding photography! Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
OM System 90mm f/3.5 Macro IS PRO M.Zuiko Digital ED
 05/20/2019 12:33:15 AM
and ps .. not a single vote under 6 .. thats probably a first in dpc .. lol .. !!! .. must be those angels looking out for you .. xx

Message edited by author 2019-05-20 00:33:31.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
OM System 90mm f/3.5 Macro IS PRO M.Zuiko Digital ED
 05/20/2019 12:32:29 AM
hey Sandy .. CONGRATULATIONS .. !!!!! ...
i'm so glad you got a ribbon for this outstanding photo ..
AND got on your profile page ... which is quite an achievement in this day and age in dpc ...
just wonderful .. i'm so happy for you .. xxxxx
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
OM System OM-5
Olympus 17mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko
05/19/2019 11:49:33 PM
Very cool. Should do well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a1 II
Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS
 05/19/2019 09:59:05 PM
It seems a little heavy handed on the processing or the water (and you missed a grainy area behind the tail), but nice catch!
Fujifilm X-T30
Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS
 05/19/2019 08:36:25 PM
forever searching - and in marvelous elegance
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon Z8
Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8
 05/19/2019 03:24:35 PM
Stunning, with sharpness in all the right places complemented by the softness of the water.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
OM System 90mm f/3.5 Macro IS PRO M.Zuiko Digital ED
 05/13/2019 06:02:41 AM
SERIOUSLY .. !! .. so i've seen three pics that could ribbon .. this makes four .. !! .. amazing shot .. the sort of photo that makes me jealous .. capturing a bird in flight .. i've tried and it was quite challenging .. so i know its not easy ...
but whether its an easy or difficult shot .. this is magic anyway .. tack sharp .. and beautiful .. love it ..
i'm not voting yet . :)

oh ps .. the water .. just adds another dimension of awesomeness to this already amazing shot .. the silver ripples .. gorgeous .. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D750
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED
 05/13/2019 12:39:22 AM
Magnificent. The painterly treatment really works. What's with the other leg...?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Theme: Classic / System / Light / Dark
Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2026 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 10/05/2026 01:41:26 PM EDT.