A short while back I received an email from Canadian Geographic advising of a special wildlife issue coming out. This issue would use photos from selected photographers who had entered their photo contests and were short listed. The problem was the email (actually there were two) were sufficiently vague that it was difficult to tell whether it was genuine, or a pretty darn good phishing attempt.
A couple of emails later, through the CG site, and a direct one from the issue's editor, and it turns out that this is genuine. The next problem, I had no idea what photos I had submitted, and as it was done online as opposed to by email, I didn't have a record of them. Again an email to the issue's editor cleared that out. It was the photographer that they selected, not the specific images.
I was to select up to two images to submit for consideration. But which two? Not that they're all wildlife or bird photos, but I've taken almost 10,000 photos in the years since I got the Canon DSLR. And without a specific species or theme how do you choose amongst them?
Well, I asked (on facebook and to friends) but I knew that ultimately I'd have to go with something that I felt would fit the bill. One thing to narrow it down was that I knew it would be a bird photo, as with one or two exceptions most of my mammal or insect shots are pretty poor.
So again to limit the process I thought I'd limit it to images I had on Aperture. For the most part that would be photos from the last couple of years, plus I've been a little more diligent in tossing images since I've started using that program. I created a file for the shortlist and then started through some of the other files, duplicating and transferring ones that caught my eye.
From there I went through that file, tossing photos for various reasons, such as lack of sharpness, or not enough resolution to meet the criteria. There were photos that were pretty nice photos of individual birds (I've taken a lot of Pacific Loon photos lately) but that lacked a certain visual impact or decent composure. Such as this one: nice photo, but its just not enough.
That brought me down to twenty-two images. And a further cull took me down to ten. Those ten, are below the fold, along with which, two I eventually submitted.
This first image, the oldest of the bunch, is clearly one of my favourite images, and its of my favourite bird. Taken as the birds were playing in the wind currents above the House, I find it a very visually striking image. Originally colour, the sky in black and white looks much more overcast and dramatic.
This next image, of a family of Long-tailed Ducks, was also older and taken last July. I like it because of the flat water devoid of any detail except for their wakes. It gives me the impression that the ducks are floating on nothing. It was shot on a drizzly overcast day as the birds swam in a narrow channel between me and the ice on Marcil Lake. It is obviously cropped, as I thought it made a better image without the ice.
This portrait of a female Lapland Longspur in the rain was actually taken the same day as the previous photo. She is one wet bird in the steady drizzle that was taking place. The appeal here, for me, is the "reflection" of her colours in the lichens of the rocks she is perched on. The problem I have with this photo is that the background was bleached in post processing in Aperature, and I'm not sure if that would make it suitable for their publication.
I love this portrait of an American Pipit, taken on the side of the road last fall. It is tack sharp, and beautifully lit, and probably the purist "bird picture" of the lot.
This is probably the photo I agonized over more than almost all of the others. It is (I think) a great shot and difficult because it is white on white. It was taken in poor light in a canyon in February, Valentine's Day to be precise, and I wish it was much sharper than it is, which is why I ultimately rejected it. Another Rock Ptarmigan shot from the same time made the early cut, with more birds and red rocks, but this was more visually appealing to me.
This is another American Pipit, probably the first I saw this year. It's another crisp shot, plus it has the added bonus of some behaviour. This male is displaying, strutting his stuff if you will, for a nearby female.
This photo is hands down my favourite photo of the year, and yet I'm unable to clearly articulate why. It also doesn't seem to have that sort of appeal to others. When I first posted it on my blog and on FB, I don't think there was one comment on it. It possess some "frozen in time" qualities that I like. It was also a lucky shot, as I fired off several frames of these Long-tailed Ducks as they flushed from the pond I was photographing them, into a neighbouring one. Again, I like it, I'm not sure it holds any wider appeal.
And finally in the pile that was ultimately rejected (by me) is this one playing on the cuteness factor. A Baird's Sandpiper hatchling, back lit by the Sun. It moved like the devil by the way, and if it wasn't back lit would have been extremely hard to follow.
Which leaves the two that I ultimately submitted. I laboured over this one, bouncing back and forth between it and the Raven photo. This photo of a male White-rumped Sandpiper flying in to display for a female, took place in a very busy evening for shorebird observing at Marcil Lake. I chose this photo because of the lines formed by the birds and their reflections. It is visually satisfying to me, although it could easily be argued that it lacks enough tension to make it a decent shot. We'll see if they like it.
The next one, I might have easily substituted for one of the others if I went through the process again. It is a young Lapland Longspur, photographed at near eye level. It was up on the bank of the river I was walking along. I think part of the draw for this photo is the inclusion of the tundra with the bird. This is where it would usually be found, and there is plenty to draw the eye to in these wonderful tundra plants.
So that's that. The submission has been made, now we'll wait and see if I progress beyond their short list.
Comments
15 responses
Wow, all those photos are so great! I like the one of the loon on the water. I also like the one of the snow bunting all white in the snow. Although you’re sticking with birds, I personally liked your one of the three polar bears!
They’re all amazing.
Good luck with the photo contest! I think I like the raven, the first longspur, and the flying Long-tailed Ducks the best from this group.
Those are really good photos. I can see why they shortlisted you. Just out of curiosity, what do you use as photographic equipment? The EXIF info seems to be stripped off your files – maybe on purpose 😉
Thanks Melodie, the Polar Bear photos were fine for the blog, but not near sharp enough for publication.
Thanks Megan
Thanks John. In many ways I prefer the first Longspur photo as well. It was just tweaked a little too much I think.
Thanks Carly, Typepad must strip that data as it is on my files. I use a Canon Digital Rebel Xti. Most of these were taken with a Canon IS 100-400 lens.
I love the reflection shot – that’s easily the most interesting and unique and artistic of the bunch. It must have been hard to whittle it down as you have so many photographs – I like the Pipit displaying as its bright and super-sharp, but the one you picked is warm and does feel like you are right in the tundra with it, and from a nature point of view demonstrates just how the colouring of the bird really helps it blend into its surroundings.
Good luck with your great photos. Impressive!
Thanks Jennith, after I sent off my selections a friend who has had numerous photos published in magazines said the displaying Pipit was likely the most publishable, because of the sharpness, composition and uncluttered background. But we’ll see what CG has to say. I’ve changed my mind several times now, so its a good thing that I had no time to decide.
Thanks Stylurus. Are you having a good year for Odes?
Clare…have you ever blogged about the system of filing/saving/storing you have selected for all of the photos you have taken?
Hi Soph.
I’ve only touched upon my system. Which is probably in vast need of improvement. And I’m way behind in it right now, but that is what winters are for right?
Sometime ago I started opened separate files for different categories of photos and put the originals in them. Depending on the category it might have several sub-folders.
I’m currently using Aperature to process my RAW photos, and it has an excellent system for giving the photos “meta data”. For instance you can tag your photos by a number of different tags, and rather instantly call up all your Loon photos, or Pacific Loon photos or anyway you’ve tagged them.
My problem is that I’ve got so many photos on the computer to go back and tag them all seems rather onerous. So right now I’m using a mishmash of systems.
As far as storage goes I’ve got two internal Terabyte Drives that are set up as a RAID, so what ever is written onto the one is copied onto the second (mirror). I also back up my hard drives on an Apple Time Capsule.
O my! TWO terabyte drives?! I like how they can be copied like that too! Your computer must be pretty hardcore!
Fairly hardcore Melodie. I’ve a Mac Pro 8 core (8 processors). The two terabyte drives were added by me. It also has the original 320 gB drive, that is bootable, and has copies of the programs on it. It is a very simple process on the mac to set the drives to be RAID drives so they mirror each other.
Probably more machine than I really need but it needs to be my workhorse for a long time. The previous G4 Mac lasted me 8 or 9 years.
Ok, thanks! I’ll come to you next time I need a new computer! (As in so that I know what to get so that it will last me as long as yours did)!
*Come to you…lol, alllllll the way to Arctic Bay! Just kidding! Although I swear, I really really do want to go to the high Arctic sometime!!! Your photos (and others), are SO alluring!!!
Adorable pictures and looking so soft. I have some selective photos with me in my system. need some more loons pictures, If can make it as seperate blog and post it. Thanks you
Loons Review. I’m not sure what you’re asking, but if you want to use my loon photos you can contact me at the above email address. I’ve removed your link as there is no clear indication what it is a link to.