Swallows

[weemannie's wifey]

OK being very brave here and posting my first photos :)

The Swallows took up residence in the new garage, before we could get in there :lol: but we're thrilled they like it.

They've managed to raise four youngsters, who left the nest this afternoon.

Thought I'd share these shots with you - for C & C - I'm still new to the 350D rather than my trusty A85 P&S, so aware that I have some learning to do!

[weemannie]

Wonderful shots. Quite the most beautiful pictures I've ever seen.


Now, about that 400L I want ......
:lol:

[weemannie's wifey]

I knew there had to be a reason you were being nice about my photos :rolleyes: :lol: :lol:

[hmongstang]

the L glass fever! :o

awsome shots..

[Rick Baker]

Nice closeup action

[larlen]

Magic

[bachscuttler]

Nice shots!

I've yet to see swallows in NE Scotland.
I'm a sasenach living in Montrose BTW! :)

PS: Your hubby really deserves that L glass ;)

[weemannie]

Nice shots!

I've yet to see swallows in NE Scotland.
I'm a sasenach living in Montrose BTW! :)

PS: Your hubby really deserves that L glass ;)

The fee's in the post ;) :lol:

[weemannie's wifey]

Thanks everyone - I won't be upset if anyone would like to suggest improvements, one of the reasons for joining and posting is to learn how to improve my photography.


Bachscuttler - sorry to hear that you've not seen Swallows up here - there seem to be quite a few in this area, but it's a rural crofting {farming} community, so lots of suitable outbuildings for nesting. Often see flocks gathering on the telegraph wires in August, assembling ready for migration.


Don't tell hubby but if he does buy the 400L then I want to use it too... :cool: :lol: :lol:

[lomond]

Nicki, these are great shots especially the second one.
I do like that shot.

For C&C I would suggest a levels adjustment or curves for a better tonal range. I don't know if you sharpened at all but it can be sharpened up a bit more. The catchlights in the eyes are nice but the two swallows to the right have a double catchlight ( flash can cause this ) I would clone one out. The catch light not the eye. :lol:

I can post an example if you like.

BTW I think you should buy the 400L and let Trevor borrow it. :)


Regards,

[JJDiG]

Great shots. Nice close up action.

[guitarman3]

Good work Nicki! Keep posting!

[robertwgross]

What kind of Swallows are they?

In North America, we have several kinds (barn, cliff, tree, cave, etc.), but I don't know which ones you have there. It is hard to tell from the babies. Most of them use some kind of a mud nest, so that isn't much help, either.

---Bob Gross---

[LazyPhotographer]

They're adorable!

[weemannie]

BTW I think you should buy the 400L and let Trevor borrow it. :)


:cool: :lol: Oh boy are you in trouble with hubby!!! :lol: :lol:


Thanks for the suggestions - will have a play and repost later, then perhaps we can do a comparison. I did sharpen a bit, about 25, but probably not enough as I've prevously sharpened some of the dogs and over did it, so I'm a bit wary :oops:

Glad you added about not cloning out the eye - they'd find it hard to catch insects with just one eye!! :D

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!
Cameron, Nicki posted this under my sign in! She's right though, you're in BIG trouble :lol: :lol:

Regards
Trevor

[Meerkat17]

Nicki, Great work and difficult to take - did you get "dive bombed" from the parents?

For C&C I'll go along with most of what Cameron has already said but will add that you need to get some darks into the image to hold it.

As for sharpening - (Don't tell anyone but take a look at these PS actions (http://www.thelightsrightstudio.com/DigitalDarkroom/PhotoshopTools/TLRSharpeningToolkit.htm)) they work a treat ;)

Well done Nicki - keep borrowing those lenses - its the only way you will get used to using them!

Regards
David

[lomond]

Cameron, Nicki posted this under my sign in! She's right though, you're in BIG trouble :lol: :lol:

Regards
Trevor


Trevor, it was a cunning plan.
You get Nicki to order the 400 f2.8L.
When it arrives and Nicki realises it's the size and weight of a breeze block ( 5.3 KG ) It's all yours. :)
Brilliant plan eh !...............I tried it...... but it didn't work. :(

PS Don't tell Nicki. :o

[weemannie]

Nice one, Cameron. All is forgiven. :lol:



Trevor, it was a cunning plan.
You get Nicki to order the 400 f2.8L.
When it arrives and Nicki realises it's the size and weight of a breeze block ( 5.3 KG ) It's all yours. :)
Brilliant plan eh !...............I tried it...... but it didn't work. :(

PS Don't tell Nicki. :o

[lomond]

:cool: :lol: Oh boy are you in trouble with hubby!!! :lol: :lol:


Thanks for the suggestions - will have a play and repost later, then perhaps we can do a comparison. I did sharpen a bit, about 25, but probably not enough as I've prevously sharpened some of the dogs and over did it, so I'm a bit wary :oops:

Glad you added about not cloning out the eye - they'd find it hard to catch insects with just one eye!! :D

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!
Cameron, Nicki posted this under my sign in! She's right though, you're in BIG trouble :lol: :lol:

Regards
Trevor

Hi Nicki..................What did I say, it wasn't me. :)

Looking forward too your repost.

Regards,

[Reigh Higgins]

Lovely shots !The second one is great.

[weemannie's wifey]

Thanks everyone!

Cameron, I've been carrying TeddyEdward round all afternoon trying to build up the muscles LOL

Now they're aching too much to go into PS and play with the photo...

[condyk]

What kind of Swallows are they?

In North America, we have several kinds (barn, cliff, tree, cave, etc.), but I don't know which ones you have there. It is hard to tell from the babies. Most of them use some kind of a mud nest, so that isn't much help, either.

We usually have the 'Barn' Swallow, House Martin, Sand Martin and Swift.

We used to have many different types but they all upped and flew to the US as living is much cheaper there :lol:

[lomond]

Thanks everyone!

Cameron, I've been carrying TeddyEdward round all afternoon trying to build up the muscles LOL

Now they're aching too much to go into PS and play with the photo...


Nicki, that's the beauty of digital photography as a hobby rather than a business.......no deadlines, no pressure, no worries. :)

It will never become a business for me ( even if I was good enough ).
I'm having too much fun.

Take care,

[robertwgross]

Nicki, that's the beauty of digital photography as a hobby rather than a business.......no deadlines, no pressure, no worries. :)


If you have the time, next year during Swallow nesting season, go out and watch the whole process and photograph it. Most Swallows use mud to construct the nest, so they have to nest someplace nearby fresh mud. If the mud is too dry, then they splash stream water onto the mud to freshen it until it reaches the right consistency. Then they have to carry it to the nest site (in mouth) to apply it. They have to get at least several courses of mud dawbed in before they lay the eggs.

That could make for a whole photographic essay!

---Bob Gross---

[Rob612]

I am VERY tired tonight, having some serious problems with my father in the hospital, so I am a little confused about who posted under what login... I just lost something and cant rebuild it.

Anyway I have clear two things:

1) The pics are great, the four little are lovely.

2) As I said I do have missed something about who wrote what, but I'm sure that the whole couple will have a lot of fun with the 400L, you two deserve it :D How about an early/late anniversay gift to yourself ? ;)

[bachscuttler]

Hope all goes well with your father Rob :cry:

[Rob612]

Hope all goes well with your father Rob :cry:

Me too. Thanks.

[weemannie's wifey]

So sorry to hear about your Father Bob, sending healing thoughts and prayers and strength for you to cope.

Thanks for taking the time out to post. Pleased you like the Swallows.

We confused you, my fault, I forgot I wasn't logged in and posted under hubby's log in. I think the 400L will be a birthday/Christmas/ANniversary present for the next ten years LOL


Bob, thanks for the suggestions about following the Swallows through the whole process, I like that idea. We are planning to be a bit more organised for photographing them next year anyway...we're very lucky, in that they nest in the garage just yards from the back door...


I think you're right Cameron, it would take the fun out of it if you were working to strict deadlines - I'm jsut starting to really enjoy photography.

[tupe]

Nicki, those are precious shots. Thanks for posting them.

We had a couple of bank swallows (sand martins) that were policing our parking lot. I love to watch them. Maybe it's just me, but they seem to be happy and up-beat everytime I see them.

[Rob612]

I think the 400L will be a birthday/Christmas/ANniversary present for the next ten years LOL

:D :D

[weemannie's wifey]

Thanks for the suggestions, Cameron and David - and for the PS Actions link - some serious computer time needed here!! It looks brilliant though.

I have had a bit of a play {cloned out the extra catchlights, adjusted levels and curves and sharpened - using unsharp mask} and think this is better:

[Meerkat17]

Looks much better Nicki - well done!
David


Thanks for the suggestions, Cameron and David - and for the PS Actions link - some serious computer time needed here!! It looks brilliant though.

I have had a bit of a play {cloned out the extra catchlights, adjusted levels and curves and sharpened - using unsharp mask} and think this is better:

[weemannie's wifey]

Thanks David - it's having the confidence to "play" with the image, but it really helps to have suggestions - much appreciated.

[lomond]

No need for me to post an example now Nicki.

Very good job.
Isn't Photoshop great.

Regards,