Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

I am not going to say just great shot ... I am going to tell you why. The light is excellent. It is coming from the side and it is low. You can tell by the long shadow. The subject is wonderful and there several stories here such as wildlife and mankind. The wonderful concrete back drop sets up the conflict of habitat. It also provides simple lines, shapes and texture and does quite well with the water. But what make the image is the light. I am pleased you found it.

amersfoort

A very nice set.

Would make a great panel for a competition. Possible title:- Meet, Fight, Victory Stroll.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

All valid points, ABC, and if I'm gonna put these shots together somewhere in print I will go back to the raw and push them into more consistency as to color, WB, processing approach and crop. The shot of the scuffle was done as a stand alone for the book club activity, and the other two (which are processed the same but without much effort to reconcile any differences) were done later when I decided to post them as a group here.

The primary purpose of all my processing is to seek out a look I want. I try LR first, always, but if I can't get there, I go on into PS with plugins used for specific purposes, usually at low opacities and with masking. The secondary purpose is - well, gotta admit I just find it fun:)

With the dam birds, I am using a long lens with a higher ISO than I prefer, and I sacrifice some detail, especially with the birds that are in the shadows. Compromises, compromises!!

One of the peculiarities of the dam is that nothing is plumb. The architecture is all on various slants, sloping downward and oddly angled. The only way to make it plumb is to distort it in PS, which doesn't always work.

As for the vanquished, he left the premises. I do have a very cute picture of him getting rev'ed up, fluffing up all his feathers just before the Staring Contest in the first shot. These guys are a bunch of fun!

Thanks as always for your thoughts!

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

And I do thank you for saying the "why's", that is always helpful. On this side of the river, the morning light is my friend. For the other side, afternoon is best. But I'll try it at all times because sometimes that amazing water spray and mist creates opportunities I didn't foresee. It depends so much on the water flow out of the dam - both volume and which gates they're using. Lines, shapes, texture, light, color - all that is what draws me there, but the birds are the actors on that stage, and I am obsessed with those guys.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Thank you! I will have some cleanup to do if I put them in print for display, but I'm considering it, it's my first time to catch them cutting up like this in an open area where I could get the shutter up enough to catch them!

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Thanks for the clarification. When I shoot an action sequence, I am more concerned about the action than the sequence. Who has time for getting consistency or even the forethought! I probably would have had the camera on single shot and then wished I had it on rapid fire. I am happy just to get the action. You probably went through the same thing.

The developing functions in LR are much more for improving straight shots than for riffing on them. Where LR ends, PS and the others step in.

The strong light and shadows must drive you crazy and present their own challenges. As for things being plumb, I understand that too. While the verticals may not be true, I would presume the foundations are. Unless the esthetic is clear to the contrary, things not straight bother me because I expect the photographer to fix that.

Thanks for the helpful response. I would say that the middle shot stands out by itself and might be cropped more tightly. For me, the shot is about the birds and not the dam. I always enjoy our exchanges.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

I always enjoy gabbing with you about pictures too!

When I say ain't nothin' plumb down under that thing, I mean NOTHIN':). The bridge over the top is straight as a horizontal but I never include it anyway. Everything else is slanted or curved, including foundation pieces, I presume because all of it is designed to move water optimally and is not seen by anyone but the birds and me. Even the pillars are at a slant. That's part of what creates the disoriented feeling some folks have looking at this stuff. I feel that way sometimes and I shot the darned things! At first I tried to manhandle them in PS to force them straight because it really bothers me too, but I am becoming more resigned to its strange design.

The book club activity I shot this for required us to shoot a burst series, so I was "on assignment" so to speak, doing my homework, but what a blessing! I NEVER shoot on the burst! I had to look it up in the manual! I'll have to keep working with it though, my camera has many burst options and I'm sure I'm not using it optimally. Always something to learn.

Dave Chinn

Minnie, you have captured and excellent series of territorial dominance. Although, there is a little difference in the lighting, its not a deal breaker unless you are planning to display them. All three tells the story of your intent I'm sure.
Dave

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Thank you Dave. I do want to display them eventually, this was an exploration to see reactions before I try to reconcile those tedious little differences.

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

Love your set Minniev. They tell the whole story.
A turf war and the winner is...