20 Apr2015
Flash & Color!
People who are familiar with the kind of photography I do know that I do mostly wildlife and nature photography. Occasionally I stray from the “natural” way I photograph and do something different. I guided a group of photographers last week who loved bold and splashy photos, so I clipped some Bougainvillea branches from my neighbor’s large bush (with permission, of course!) and brought them to the Laguna Seca Ranch. The result was exactly what they wanted – many birds visiting the “planted” plant. When I first viewed the scene, it almost blinded me because I thought it was overpowering and I didn’t take any photos. But then the Golden-fronted Woodpeckers paid the setup a visit and I took some photos. I’d like comments and thoughts about these three photos, with a focus on answering these questions: 1. In the first photo, do you prefer the two birds on the setup to only one bird, even though they aren’t both facing the camera or even looking in the same direction? 2. The second and third photos are almost identical, but one has fill flash added and the other does not. Do you prefer one over the other? Please explain why. Incidentally, I have done no post-processing to any of these photos. I look forward to receiving your comments and thoughts. Reminder: Be sure to click on each photo to see the entire image.
Pair of Golden-fronted Woodpeckers on Branch with Bougainvillea
Female Golden-fronted Woodpecker with Bougainvillea Blossoms (fill-flash used)
Female Golden-fronted Woodpecker with Bougainvillea Blossoms (no flash)
Ruth Hoyt
photographer, writer, teacher and more