Wing Positions

[DavidT]

I am working on going through 1TB of images from a Florida trip a couple of weeks ago and with 20 and 30FPS you get a tremendous amount of choices. Wing position becomes one of those choices that are a bit subjective. I am curious as to what you like best?

Here are three shots that have two frames between them. Which one of the three wing positions do you prefer?

PS I know it is just a boring blue sky.

Wing Position A:

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Wing Position B:

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Wing Position C:

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[bleirer]

With the eye and head blending in too much with the wing behind it is more that than the position of the wing.

 

[tclune]

In this set, I prefer the first. With the second shot, the back wing kind of swallows the bird's head visually. If it didn't, I think I would have preferred the second shot for the wing shape. FWIW

ETA: x-posted with @bleirer .

 

[DavidT]

In this set, I prefer the first. With the second shot, the back wing kind of swallows the bird's head visually. If it didn't, I think I would have preferred the second shot for the wing shape. FWIW

ETA: x-posted with @bleirer .

Here is one of the in-between frames. I will edit and add it to the poll choices as option C.

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[tickle_my_nikon]

Open wingspan has a majestic appeal to it. It's the artist in me.

A, hands down.

 

[DavidT]

Specifically to these three photos I like B
The shaded wing behind the head looks nicer imho

I kind of like that one as well. I feel like it gives it more dimension.

 

[DougC]

B. There’s little or no pattern on the top of the wing and seeing the underside is more pleasing to my eye. Granted, it doesnt highlight the head and eye the way that C does but that’s my 2 cents worth.

 

[jeffnles1]

I like B. It seems to bring the face out more. For lack of a better word it "pops".

 

[DavidT]

I like B. It seems to bring the face out more. For lack of a better word it "pops".

I tend to agree with you.

 

[Bill M]

B. More power and action.

 

[Icarus]

B in this on I particularly like the position of the near wing. With that and the head against the far wing, there is a nice 3D effect.

 

[Viathelens]

Odd that I saw this, just a day or two ago I was thinking of composition and how it relates to the subject of wildlife and birds, in particular. It took me awhile to stop and think about body shadows with birds and sometimes I still don't do it. There is so much to learn. I do like the way the face is framed in #2 but the wind looks a little odd, like it's just sort of poking out there. I don't know why they just can't pose correctly for us....

 

[DavidT]

@txstone I am curious you voted none of the above. What wing position on a bird like this do you prefer?

 

[StefanSC]

The first thing I learned in photography was "Don't let stuff stick out of your subject's head and make sure it doesn't blend in with the background", so that makes wing position A the only one viable for me.

 

[Palmor]

A for me as well.... I prefer the open wing spans.

 

[MarcoScocco]

B for me

 

[DavidT]

I don't know about the rest of you but I sure enjoy this and learn more than debating who has the best camera.

 

[Turberticus]

They're all good, but A for me because there's no wing behind its head. I know it's part of the birds anatomy, but it's just a slight distraction. Not as bad as a stick immediately behind the birds head, but its approaching that territory for me. Just my opinion.

 

[JerryR]

My personal favorite would be A because the lighting is so nice on that shot and I love the fact I can see the back side of the right wing which adds a lot of color, texture and detail. The others are quite nice and great focus too but A is my preference because of that right wing and the fact that the shape of the head is not obscured by the right wing.

 

[sh1209]

I like B as well. very nice shots!

 

[Ralph]

There all great but I lean toward B as well. They are all razor sharp!

 

[Charlie Lasswell]

B. The head in front of the wing gives the picture depth by providing contrast in the sharpness of the head against the slight background blur of the wing which is not noticeable in the other positions. It also gives the head a little more pop.

 

[txstone]

@txstone I am curious you voted none of the above. What wing position on a bird like this do you prefer?

Yes, I had another Osprey pose in mind. I noticed my vote was an outlier, so thanks for the invitation, David. I hesitate to post a photo in someone else’s topic.

This shoot was taken with my Nikon D500 and 80-400 lens. In my case, the bird was high and far, and lighting was poor. So this is one that I show largely for the wing attitude and posture.

The bird was spending time over a tank (pond) in S. Texas, gliding and searching below, leading to this unusual pose. Osprey are also unusual visitors to this area, so it was an out of the ordinary experience.

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[DavidT]

Yes, I had another Osprey pose in mind. I noticed my vote was an outlier, so thanks for the invitation, David. I hesitate to post a photo in someone else’s topic.

This shoot was taken with my Nikon D500 and 80-400 lens. In my case, the bird was high and far, and lighting was poor. So this is one that I show largely for the wing attitude and posture.

The bird was spending time over a tank (pond) in S. Texas, gliding and searching below, leading to this unusual pose. Osprey are also unusual visitors to this area, so it was an out of the ordinary experience.
View attachment 32267

I have plenty of with this pose as well

 

[eaj101]

I agree that the 'B' position head merges too much with the background wing.