Last year I began a task to start converting my old online galleries over to a new format based on WordPress. It involves not only the behind the scenes moving things around organizationally, but a culling of a lot of images, as well as redeveloping many with my current tastes, and then resizing and updating them for the site. Well, I am still at it, it is a painstakingly slow process and tedious at times, so I have been doing in spurts. It can also be a nostalgic time looking back at a lot of old work, reliving some trips and experiences.
Shorebird and Seabird Gallery
“Sunshine Sandpiper”, Tahquamenon Bay, Lake Superior, Michigan c.2007
My newest edition is a shorebird and seabird gallery in my wildlife photography section. Some of this photographs are pretty old, circa 2004 and earlier. Many shot on film. It was also a reminder on how challenging bird photography can be. By any measurement, these are perhaps just standard bird photographs where one is happy just to get one fairly close, sharp, with a decent background.
Looking back on a lot of film images made me realize how spoiled I have become with digital capture. I am certain I am not the only one. There is film grain for sure, and it makes me wonder how many younger photo editors would simply flat out reject such images out of concern over “noise.” The thing is, much of the grain in these photographs never shows in typical publications or prints at reasonable sizes, evident by the millions of photos, some of the best in history before the age of digital.
I don’t carry my big lens around as often these days, a necessity for skittish shorebirds. I miss it, perhaps signaling a need to get back to it. I am not sure my back and hips agree. I need to get on that Tony Wu exercise routine.
A playful composition of a Brown Pelican, La Jolla, California c.2004
If you feel so inclined, have a wander on over there using the link below. You will find some old images from my trip to the Galapagos Islands in 2001, pelicans from around La Jolla, California, and various shorebirds around the Great Lakes region.
I agree, bird photography is a whole other beast, but there are some very nice images in that gallery – I like the sandpipers with shallow depth of filed, and that single roosting pelican is wonderful. Way too few bird photographers inject feeling or personality into their photographs. Don’t we have enough field guide images? That’s why I like that pelican. But don’t ask ME to try to create a great bird portrait, let alone maintain a full website the way you do – kudos!
I suppose that is at least part why I haven’t done as much with them, that I felt like I was just getting field guide images like you say. It’s a good point. Some of the most powerful bird photography I have seen is where the photographer can get really close with a wide angle lens and capture the surrounding habitat, while still having the bird as a significant component. Those locations are far and few between where that is possible AND have a really photogenic setting. I appreciate your thoughts on this Lynn.
Mark, your ‘Shorebird and Seabird Gallery’ looks good. I have a huge amount of respect for photographers who specialize in avian photography and make those near-impossible shots look obtainable. But it takes so much more than just a very long lens and I’ve never had that type of photographic dedication. I’ll just admire the images of others. Nice work!
I suppose those my little “dabbling” in bird photography made me realize those that specialize in birds, the amount of effort they put into it. Some are able to attribute a personal style to some of those shots, but they are far and few between IMHO.
Mark, you must have the patience of a saint. Looking at your photos, one could be fooled into thinking that all it takes is a big, fast lens, snap, snap, snap and you’re done, but I imagine there were a lot of missed shots, maybe even wasted outings just to get this gallery’s worth of images. Great work as always.
I’ve got to say that I have always liked film grain, which to me does not equate to digital noise. I don’t like noise in digital images as it tends to muddy the image rather than provide texture as with grain.
Oh, and I like the exercise routine. Reminded me a lot of what I used to do in warmups for Kung Fu training. Good times, but happy to leave it as fond memories 😉
I used to, not so sure anymore. It does take a lot of patience and determination to be out there day after day. Re: warmups – I have a bit of martial arts history in my background also. ? Doubt my back or hips could take the abuse again.
Great bird shots here and in the site. Most noise like this is going to be invisible unless the image is printed extremely large. But I know when one is the photographer themselves it’s hard not to blow it up to 100% on the computer screen and fret about the noise. Website maintains can certainly be a time sink that draws one away from the art!
Thanks Howard. Sometimes I have a hard time attaching any particular personal style to bird photographs. It’s hard enough just to get one sharp and clean like I mentioned. There aren’t as many liberties you can take with development as I find with landscapes. Then again, perhaps I should re-evaluate that thinking.
I’ve never really done bird photography but I can definitely see how there are fewer liberties to be taken compared to landscapes.