By Les Ryan.
Pelican Art
By Les Ryan
Nikon D800E; Nikkor 24-70mm; f/2.8 G ED; 70mm; f/8; ISO 400; 1/5s
I have always strived for technical precision in my bird photography.
Correct exposure, tack sharp focussing, you know the drill.
Recently, a friend suggested I try a different approach and, consistent with Georgina Steytler’s advice in her book “For the Love of Birds”, I might consider “aesthetic impact, or an eye for art”.
For me, this was a bit of a challenge.
But after a lot of fruitless experimentation with apertures, exposure times, and slight movements of the camera at the moment of pressing the shutter, I felt I was getting closer with this photo of three pelicans cruising on a gentle breeze near sunset, at Lakes Entrance, Victoria.
The quick beat of the central pelican’s wing was enough to define its shape, providing context, but I hope, not distracting from the form of the less dominant birds. Art in motion.
Don’s response
Photographing with intention is the bedrock of great image-making and here I think Les Ryan’s experimentation with an approach that is diametrically opposed to his usual practice has been rewarded.
Stepping outside old habits and preconceptions can open us up to entirely new worlds. This is one such step.
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