The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Hakaido, Japan
The Japanese red-crown cranes are endangered, and are protected in sanctuaries. They roost elsewhere, but fly into protected areas for the corn put out for them. There are about 1500 left in the wild.
I was so stunned by the natural area with snow and orange birch trees and leaves, and the many postures of the cranes in different areas of the sanctuary, I could do nothing but absorb the incredible scene in awe for awhile.
The snow against the black-and-white cranes, and the dark BG were a huge challenge for exposure; I had never used the A1 in snow. Lots of experimentation, then the overcast weather became misty, then brighter, then very overcast again.
I also learned how difficult it is to catch the red crown. It’s quite small, and perched exactly on the top of the head, with little down the sides. Only a really good head-turn will show any of the crown at all.
Specific Feedback
All comments and suggestions welcome
Technical Details
Sony A1
200-600 + 1.4x
File Name: F:\Japan cranes\Cranes 3\RB_01619.ARW
Sony A1
Software: ILCE-1 v2.01, Pure Raw 4
Date Taken: 2025-02-13 01:07:04
Exposure Time: 1/2500 sec
F Number: f/13
ISO Speed Ratings: ISO 2500
Exposure Program: Manual
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
Exposure Bias: +1 1/3
Critique Template
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A beautiful image, very nicely captured.
I may not prefer the maroon outline of frame matching the crown , it dilutes the effect.
May try to brighten up a touch the red crown…may increase it’s saturation too.
I like the mostly black and white presentation with the red cap, Sandy. Most of the cranes with a bit of red seem to be difficult to bring out (at least the Sandhill and Whooping). The degree of control in the LR point color tool has been a great boon in handling that kind of issue, at least for me. The pose in this one is gorgeous. We’re the trees in the background gray or did you convert those to grayscale?
I like this picture very much. One of my main interests is dance and this is a beautiful dancing photo. The cranes in Japan are of course a very aesthetic bird and you captured it perfectly with the right settings. I suppose that you zoomed all the way in, given the blurred background at f/13. Very well done this.
Great capture Sandy. Love the dancing pose with great wing and head position. The white, gray, and black all go well together and I love the bit of red on the head. Very well done.
Hi, Dennis - there are a couple areas of this sanctuary that have great BG’s. This one is a natural BG of distant dark trees. I did blur the dark BG a small amount. Another is a gorgeous area with red-brown birch trees and leaves in the BG. I have several images with that BG I’ll post.
Then, another area that really intrigued me was an area with grasses and unusually-shaped trees. None of this was planned by the people at the sanctuary; they are all natural areas with large expanses of snow in front, where the cranes strut, dance, hassle each other, feed, groom and fly in. There is a viewing/photography area, but no fences, boardwalks, etc.
An absolutely stunning place. People from many countries were there.
Sandy for me the black is perfectly in the right position for making a splendid contrast with the white. The figure looks like a drawing made with a pen. I love this elegant photo.
. Some really exceptional images over here….