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from deleted238256/deleted (798) 
on February 18, 2008 2:45:12 PM CST
(2)
Hi John,
One of the most beautiful, meaningful and powerful elements in your bird photographs is bokeh. The way it works in your pictures and how it isolates the subject from the background is splendid and elegant. Simply put, it is pleasing to the eye. Also the birds poses and the right moment when you press the shutter button (or the intuition with which you select that one photo from among the rest in the series) is always perfect. I believe that I'm not the only one here, at SIG, who thinks that your works should be published one day because they would certainly make a great book and a great album.
Always admiring your work,
Jimmy
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From johngoyer/John (84,210) 
on February 18, 2008 3:12:42 PM CST
Hi Jimmy - thanks so much for the kind words - I'm lucky to get to go to these great places, and I'm glad you and others enjoy and take the time to critique them - John
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from heymanniceshot/Shawn (16,895)
on February 16, 2008 11:58:38 AM CST
(4)
Very nice John. The morning light looks great. As always you did an excellent job on panning. You might want to try using a fill flash to lighten up the details in the bottom dark wing. Nice job.
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From johngoyer/John (84,210)
on February 16, 2008 12:23:52 PM CST
thanks! I'm not sure about the range of fill-flash though it might be the right thing to use here - I still kind of like the pure sunlight though, and shooting several frames in a row I'd need one heck of a battery pack! Hope you had a good time at the rookery - I'm off to shoot a friend today then I'll be back to check up on you! John
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From heymanniceshot/Shawn (16,895)
on February 16, 2008 2:22:50 PM CST
I hope your friend is a fast runner. What do you do to your enemies? I have to agree with liking the pure sunlight although the fill may help the darker areas. I use the better beamer on my 580ex with a quantum turbo at a relatively low setting to keep from overexposure. I'm sure if I increase the flash setting it would have a relatively long range. ~Shawn
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From pauldavies/Paul (5,528)
on February 16, 2008 12:45:33 PM CST
Shawn - a good observation. I've told John he needs to tow a WWII Luftabwehr anti-aircraft search light with him ( - ; Just kidding. You usually have to photograph these wonderful birds at a range of 200 - 500 feet away and use 600 - 900mm lenses. The ones that come over close, in my case, go by the wayside as I'm waiting and honing in on the distant ones taking off or coming in.
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from pauldavies/Paul (5,528)
on February 16, 2008 11:47:59 AM CST
(5)
John - very nice. I particularly like this as I can almost visualize what was going on by the angle of light, direction of flight and the crane's head and body attitude. I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't turn just after this and almost fly over you to the NE. I say that because she's (and I say 'she' because of...well whatever..) I digress... she's seen you and / or is looking for her way out to last year's maize fields and feeding grounds. My only reservation is; the dark blueish brown areas catch my eye - but if that is what it was, then that is how it is. I can't wait to get back down there in Nov / Dec with the new gear!
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From johngoyer/John (84,210)
on February 16, 2008 12:21:00 PM CST
Hi Paul - I agree on the dark patches - shadows on the mountains - I'll look at vignetting just to see if that's better, but you get a lot of those valley shadows with the early morning light as you know! several of the cranes flew over me within about 15-20' - quite an experience! Have you got your new toys yet? John
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From pauldavies/Paul (5,528)
on February 16, 2008 12:39:49 PM CST
John, I have a target of mid summer. I have excellent conditioned 645 and 67 outfits with Pelican cases, that I've maybe ran 100 rolls of film through, and that 600mm 645 lens of course, and they will take time to sell. I'm actualy photographing it all today and getting shipping prices together. Take care and keep posting.
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from flyboy73/Steve (12,824)
on February 16, 2008 10:32:43 AM CST
(7)
Another winner, John. The detail on this sandhill is amazing. Even the wingtips are sharp. And the background elements seem to frame the bird perfectly. Really a marvelous photo. Keep them coming! Regards, Steve.
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From johngoyer/John (84,210)
on February 16, 2008 11:02:33 AM CST
Thanks Steve - as I mentioned below, good to have the feedback on the background, and glad you like the rest too! I think I have around 1200 shots left that I'm still sorting through, so this series may be going for a while! John
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from bigotis/Eugene (14,468)
on February 16, 2008 1:24:47 AM CST
(7)
John, what really catches my eye on this shot is your angle of capture. I've only come to expect the best from you in your BIF's and you haven't let us down on this capture. I happen to like the slight patterns in the BG as it gives the capture more of a natural character. Great work and thanks for sharing.
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From johngoyer/John (84,210)
on February 16, 2008 11:00:18 AM CST
Good to have your vote on the background! I'm still deciding whether to burn that in a little, but I kind of like it as is - appreciate you stopping by! John
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from edwin/Edwin K.W. (224,039)
on February 15, 2008 10:40:02 PM CST
(7)
A very fine crane in flight shot John, don't know how you manage the details under the bird wings but you are always doing it gorgeously. Good sharpness and clarity on the bird that it pops well. A wonderful shot to enjoy again. Cheers......Edwin
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From johngoyer/John (84,210)
on February 16, 2008 12:00:39 AM CST
Hi Edwin - glad you like the wing detail! In this case, the sun was very low and the crane obliged by turning right into the light - if only they would all do that! John
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from fsalustri/Fabrizio (1,913)
on February 15, 2008 6:26:43 PM CST
(8)
John, this is a beautiful shot. I really like it, the bird is very sharp and you captured a perfect position. I really like the way the left wing folds that gives the idea of movement, and the colour of the sky is awesome. Thanks for sharing, Fab
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From johngoyer/John (84,210)
on February 15, 2008 6:38:20 PM CST
Thanks very much Fab - I liked that wing fold too! The background isn't sky though, it's the early morning sun hitting a mountain range behind the crane - though I wouldn't mind a sky colored like that! John
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from janetfromdundas/Janet (15,750)
on February 15, 2008 4:07:16 PM CST
(9)
The angle/flight pose of the crane is very impressive! The lighting, sharpness, warm colours, composition and background are exceptional! Janet
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From johngoyer/John (84,210)
on February 15, 2008 5:47:15 PM CST
Hi Janet - thanks! Glad you like it - I had left the background pretty much as shot, but after comments here I'm thinking of adding a vignette to darken it and keep it a bit more subdued - John
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From janetfromdundas/Janet (15,750)
on February 15, 2008 5:55:30 PM CST
I think you already have a wonderful natural balance of colour harmony and contrast/separation between the crane and the background! Janet
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from iftiahmad/Iftikhar (27,888)
on February 15, 2008 1:33:08 PM CST
(8)
Another marvelous capture of the big beautiful bird. The poise the placement in frame and the treatment of BG all are perfect. Looking at all your Sandhill Cranes the one I like the most is titled,'January at the Bosque del Apache I' Thanks for sharing your excitement here. Regards ifti
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From johngoyer/John (84,210)
on February 15, 2008 3:11:36 PM CST
Hi ifti - glad to have your feedback on the shot - hopefully I'll find one to post that will be your new favorite - or at least that's the challenge! Thanks for looking - John
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from antero69/Markus (6,194)
on February 15, 2008 12:55:09 PM CST
(9)
Hallo John, this is a wonderful photo, very well executed, perfectly crisp and super DOF, very good colors. I like the flight moment of the bird. Thank you for sharing, Markus
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From johngoyer/John (84,210)
on February 15, 2008 1:03:24 PM CST
Thanks for taking a look Markus - glad you liked it! John
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from coulter/Ronald (31,585)
on February 15, 2008 12:33:20 PM CST
(10)
hi John Such nice work,just love the quality on the bird ,lighting would be hard to beat.Just find the BG is competing for attention in colour and brightness.Still wish it was mine.Regards Ron
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From johngoyer/John (84,210)
on February 15, 2008 12:48:50 PM CST
Hi Ron - appreciate the feedback - I'm trying to get different backgrounds rather than just blue sky so your thoughts are especially valuable - thanks! John
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from hankbenson/Hank (52,132)
on February 15, 2008 12:21:44 PM CST
(8)
Composition here has an organic feel to it. The lighting on the bird is spectacular. The blurred background seems intentional and is well handled. Regards..Hank
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From johngoyer/John (84,210)
on February 15, 2008 12:29:16 PM CST
Hi Hank - appreciate your thoughts on this - the background is the mountain range to the west of the Bosque, and I tried hard to have it or some trees as background for as many shots as possible - the clear blue sky shots are nice, but a more complex and (hopefully!) interesting background was what I was trying for - thanks for stopping! John
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from maico/Gary (25,230)
on February 15, 2008 12:13:37 PM CST
(9)
The golden hour at it's best. Good framing in an otherwise disruptive background. Wings almost completely stopped in a nice pose. Nice eye detail. Some minor compression halos on the wings, but not too distracting. Good work.
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From johngoyer/John (84,210)
on February 15, 2008 12:27:10 PM CST
Hi Gary - glad you like it, and you're right about the framing although credit goes to multiple shots followed by deleting the ones where the framing wasn't as good! I'll check the wings more carefully before I call this one done - hopefully the original doesn't have that! John
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from joyia/Sardar Muhammad (72,279)
on February 15, 2008 11:58:47 AM CST
Want to know how it came .. WOW.. it is so perfect a shot ..with light ..angle of view ..composition ..wonderful details ..a click on time for a turning bird as it curved wing shows..background is marvolous.. such a sweet shot dear John.. you are wonerful.. love it ..:) best of regards.. JOYIA
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From johngoyer/John (84,210)
on February 15, 2008 12:25:12 PM CST
Thanks Joyia! I was trying to get some variety into the flight shots so I'm glad you noticed the inward banking turn - something they don't do often and a pose that shows them nicely with the light - always a pleasure to have you stop by! John
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from bobheart/Bob (10,384)
on February 15, 2008 11:52:39 AM CST
(9)
Hi John,nice capture,really like the wing span that you got here,the exposure looks pretty good,and it seems to be in focus,not sure about the background,I know a lot of times that can't be helped when your taken a shot,but it's a good shot
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From johngoyer/John (84,210)
on February 15, 2008 12:23:39 PM CST
Hi Bob - good to have your thoughts on the background - it's the mountain range in this area, and I tried very hard to have that for the background rather than just clear blue sky - which can be a little boring - the down side is having patterns that can distract the eye - thanks for taking a look! John
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From sheenawilkie/Administrator (0) 
on February 15, 2008 11:48:14 AM CST
Gorgeous light, worth getting up for.
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From johngoyer/John (84,210)
on February 15, 2008 12:21:17 PM CST
Thanks Sheena - that's what I kept telling my wife! (of course she was in the car watching me trying to keep warm...) J
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