Do the Eyes Have It? « Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Do the Eyes Have It?

The Streak Continues

Things are winding down here in Japan. Five of us again spent the early morning at the at the Bamboo Forest in Kyoto, Japan and then grabbed a cab to Kitano Tenman-gū, a Shinto shrine in Kamigyō-ku, Kyoto, Surprisingly, the plum blossom trees, though not yet in full bloom, were sporting lots of flowers. Paul McKenzie who was with us this morning flies back to Hong Kong tonight from Osaka. And Zorica and Srdjan head home tomorrow. Denise and I head to Tokyo on Monday and catch our flights back to the states on Tuesday (here in Japan). And Alan and Pat head home the following day.

I am finishing up this post at 6:00pm Japan time on Saturday, March 1 (OMG, it’s March already!), 2014. That is 4:00am on the same day in Florida and in New York. If you missed the Jumping Monkeys” blog post the other day, be sure to click here to see the many thoughtful comments on the state of nature photography today.

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whooper-swan-close-up-of-head-of-resting-bird-_y5o8903-hokkaido-japan

This image was created with the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod, the Mongoose M3.6 head, the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon 2x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR camera. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2 stops in soft light: 1/320 sec. at f/13 in Manual mode. Color Temperature: 6,000K.

Central sensor (by necessity) Expand/AI Servo/Rear Focus on the base of the orange feathers and re-compose. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Be absolutely sure to click on the image to see a larger version.

Image #1: No Eyes

The General Premise

The general premise in bird and wildlife photography is that a good look at the eye or the eyes of the subject is pretty much a necessity. This premise always guides me. I have written “When we view an image, we always start by making eye contact.” And I have always advised: “Focus on the eye; get the eye sharp and the heck with the rest.”


whooper-swan-head-of-sleeping-bird-showing-eyes-_y5o8943-hokkaido-japan

This image was created with the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod, the Mongoose M3.6 head, the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon 2x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR camera. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2 stops in soft light: 1/100 sec. at f/25 in Manual mode. Color Temperature: 6,000K.

Central sensor (by necessity) Expand/AI Servo/Rear Focus on the bird’s left eye and re-compose. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Image #2: One and One-half Eyes

Your Call

With the aforementioned general premise in mind, which–after being sure to view both images at the larger size–do you think is the stronger image? Be sure to let us know the reasons for your choice.


nph-adv-composite

If you’d like to learn from the two folks who created the images in the composite above do consider one of the trips below. Denise Ippolito’s images: Japanese leaf painting, skimmer in flight, curved Keukenhof paths with tulips, copulating terns, & pink dahlia. Artie’s images: Snow Geese snowstorm blur, crane landing silhouettes, Leopard with prey in tree, King Penguin, & vertical tulip.

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8 comments to Do the Eyes Have It?

  • avatar David Policansky

    Hi, Artie. Late to the party, but even after reading all the comments I like image #2 better. I think I understand the preferences for image number 1–it is beautifully abstract and it reminds me of a meringue–the eyes just have it for me. Both are absolutely gorgeous, though.

  • avatar Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

    First off, thanks all for commenting.

    I am going with the majority here. I feel strongly that #1 with its simplicity is the far stronger image. In addition, the lines and flow are much stronger in #1 than in #2. I am planning on entering #2 in several major contests. Thanks to all for commenting. artie

    ps: I posted this one on Bird Photographer’s.Net in the hugely popular Avian Forum here: http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php/118129-Headed-Home-Soon

    BPN is a great place to have your images critiqued gently and honestly and is a great way to learn. artie

  • My pick is #1. Love the soft, abstract feeling to it! I feel I could almost touch the birds feathers. Great composition! When viewed with #2 it tells the whole story, but still sticking with #1.
    Tony

  • avatar Ron Gates

    I like #2 best. I agree with several other posters that I stared at #1 and tried to figure out what it was and I like the abstract look but for me the eyes drew me into the picture in #2. If there hadn’t been a #2, I would still be wondering what I was looking at. If the goal is to keep the viewer guessing then #1 does that but the eyes in #2 create a look that says “I’m a vulnerable young chick that’s safe on the back of my mother”. For me, that creates a more emotional picture.

  • avatar Jeff Levine

    The second picture for is much more powerful and engaging.

  • avatar Les Greenberg

    My choice #1. Love the abstract and I tried to figure out what it was I was viewing. Much stronger and more interesting photograph.
    Les

  • avatar Henry

    I too will go with #1 abstract is what it’s all about.

  • My pick is #1 simply because of the interest factor?
    If it wasn’t for #2 I’d be staring and staring at #1
    wondering what the heck it is, which is probably one
    of the points.

    Doug