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Inspiring and Supporting Photographers of Australian Birds

  • Little Egret, White-faced Heron (Image ID 39754)

    Little Egret, White-faced Heron.   Photographer: David Newell

  • Satin Bowerbird (Image ID 19432)

    Satin Bowerbird.   Photographer: Glenn Pure

  • Crimson Rosella (Image ID 19079)

    Crimson Rosella.   Photographer: Con Boekel

  • Red-kneed Dotterel (Image ID 30273)

    Red-kneed Dotterel.   Photographer: Emmy Silvius

  • Great Knot (Image ID 58438)

    Great Knot.   Photographer: Cherilyn Corker

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My reaction when first going through the entries was of both delight and concern – delight because there were some excellent photographs submitted involving considerable skill and patience on the part of the photographer.  There are clearly many talented photographers submitting work and many deserve praise.  I felt concern because I would need to make some tough choices to pick the top shots but didn't want to leave entrants with the impression that these were the only good photos submitted. Furthermore, judging always involves a fair amount of subjectivity.  A different mystery reviewer would likely make different choices. So I ask all of those who entered to read my review and consider my choices and the reasons behind them.  Congratulations are due to those who I have picked.  But equally congratulations are due to many other entrants even though I may not have been able to make specific mention of them.

So what did I look for when making my choices, remembering there was no constraint in terms of subject? For me a number of factors need to work together to produce a great shot.  First and foremost, the shot has to have impact - but what do I mean by that?  It might be a WOW shot: one where there is drama or action captured at just the right moment.  It might say something interesting about the bird or how it interacts with other birds or its environment.  It might simply be visually impactful: use of light, tone, colour, patterns, a new perspective or way of seeing – a piece of visual art that stirs the senses.  Composition will be key in all cases to show off the subject(s) and their surrounds in an effective way. In all, the stand-out shots will be those that I want to spend time pondering and engaging with.

For me, none of this is going to work unless the technical side is competently handled.  Does the photo look real and compelling?  This involves getting some basics right, like having the subject sharp and well-focussed (unless the photographer is deliberately using blur or softness).  Capturing a fight between two birds, for example, simply won't work for me if focus is off.  I can't engage with the subjects and draw myself into the image.  The illusion is lost.  Likewise for the way light, tone and colour are handled.  There is much more room for variety here – the photographer needs to show they have thought carefully about how to use these elements to show off their subject or perhaps show their subject in a different and refreshing way.  Many techniques are possible, like using backlight or deliberately going dark or high-key.  Other shots might require the most natural and accurate rendering to show of the bird and its surrounds.  For example, a shot that's too dark or light without obvious artistic or visual intent isn't going to work for me.  In short, is the photographer in control?  In terms of what I saw, a high proportion of entries managed the technical side well.  One negative that I would like to draw attention to though is that there were a few examples of over-done colour.  By that I mean the heavy-handed use of saturation.  I'm no fan and skipped over a few otherwise good shots because of it.  However, I may be a bit unusual as I notice photographers are more often rewarded rather than punished for heavy use of saturation in many nature photography competition and photo-sharing sites.

Luck will often play a significant part in capturing a great photo but often the photographer will need to be observant or plan; to understand their subject, the light, the way the camera will capture the scene.  Perhaps they went into the field with a particular shot or idea in mind.  It might be impossible to tell from the end result sometimes so the narrative that goes with a photo can be important and will add to my experience if I can engage further on this level.

As I indicated at the start, there is some excellent work on display in this competition and my task has not been made easy by this.  To help extend the much deserved credit, I've made a few special mentions in addition to the winning and commended entries.  It's worth noting that there were many fine bird portraits in the competition.  I counted at least 20.  Not many of them made it on to my final list as I was looking engagement and impact, but that is not to downplay the fine work that many are producing of this genre.

Here is what I've chosen ...

Winner:  Leaden Flycatchers, by Mary Wheeler  (Image ID 38934)

As difficult as picking the top shots was in this competition, this was the stand-out for me.  My first reaction in seeing it was to wonder what was going on between these two birds; what was going through their minds at the moment the shot was taken?  I was intrigued and wished I could have a chat with the two of them.  The shot has been very well executed technically and there is little I can fault.  It is clear and sharp, the lighting is soft and beautiful and the photographer has brought all of this out nicely in the way it has been processed.  The clean background and simple perch help me focus on the subjects.  Compositionally, it is nicely balanced.  While a degree of luck always plays a part, the photographer's narrative make it clear that this was no fluke.  She observed what the birds were doing, how the light was falling, how the background looked, and trained the camera on this perch hoping for an opportunity.  This adds a lot of satisfaction for me in engaging with this well thought out and presented photo.  Well done and congratulations to the winner.

Leaden Flycatchers

Highly Commended:  Silvereye, by Gregory Griffiths  (Image ID 39221)

A common technique to draw attention to the main subject is to create visual isolation, for example by having an uncluttered setting.  This shot doesn't attempt isolation, instead making the setting a satisfying and inviting part of the image.  I love the feathery leaves of the peppercorn tree and the striking pink peppercorns themselves.  The bird looks relaxed as it feeds on this bounty.  It is framed nicely by foliage with a feathery leaf above and its perch below.   Even though the leaf above encroaches on the bird slightly, I don't find it problematic.  The tones and colours are natural and inviting, helped by the soft light which the photographer has deliberately taken advantage of.   Compositionally, I think the shot would be even better without the dark, out-of-focus branch on the left side (bottom half) but that's not a major issue either.  The bird itself is nicely exposed and depth of field is sufficient for its body to be in focus; only the tail, which is partly obscured anyway, is becoming soft.  It's easy to overlook common birds amid cluttered settings but this shot proves they can make really delightful photos and this one deserves a highly commended rating in my view.

Silvereye

Highly Commended:  White-bellied Storm-Petrel, by Jack Shick  (Image ID 38865)

The photographer's description has summed up this photo nicely – like an ice-skater on ice.  And what a wonderful shot it is.  The comments make it clear the photographer has observed these birds over some time and probably planned to get a shot like this, taking advantage of the calm, flat water (a rarity on the open ocean as the photographer notes).  It makes the result all the more satisfying.  Unusually, the photo has been rendered in black and white.  I think it's been a great choice.  It focuses my attention on the bird, the slice it has cut in the water and the splashes artistically arcing out from this.  I imagine colour could easily distract from this, although it would be interesting to see the colour version for comparison.  The framing and composition work effectively to show off this unique and interesting situation, with the bird small in the frame, off to the left with the gash through the water the central element, all reinforced by clear reflections off the glassy surface.  Wisely, the photographer has still kept some room at the left for the bird to move into.  Where the subject is in motion, it's more visually satisfying to allow space for this 'virtual' movement.  The only negative with this shot is that the bird has slightly turned away from the photographer by the time the shot was captured.  But it is such as well visualised, executed and unique shot I have rated it highly commended.

White-bellied Storm-Petrel

Commended:  Bar-breasted Honeyeater, by Chris Young  (Image ID 39146)

This is an example of planning and a pinch of luck combining to produce a beautiful result.  I simply loved the soft, muted tones and colours in this shot.  The lighting is almost high-key and looked washed out on the thumbnail but the viewer is rewarded on opening the full size image with beautiful rich browns in the diagnostic scalloping on the bird's breast.  Considerable skill, thought and control has gone into producing this result both in the field and in post-processing.  The photographer has clearly shown in their narrative that they had planned for this shot and had, no doubt, scouted for suitable perches and backgrounds when working out where to position themselves.  This has paid off nicely with the sinuous perch running diagonally to the top right and the pale, muted background that provides a perfect canvas.  The placement of the bird and perch is nicely balanced and the rule of thirds has helped achieve this.  As it is looking to the left edge, the photographer has chosen wisely to give it more room on the left.  The bird is a good size relative to the frame – not too big or small.  The complementary and soft colours of the subject and setting work very well together and provide a feel of tranquillity and a very comfortable place for my gaze to linger.  The pose of the bird is also near perfect, although I would have loved a slightly greater head turn towards the camera – but this is a minor criticism.

Bar-breasted Honeyeater

Commended:  Eastern Reef Egret, by Kristina Bernard  (Image ID 38140)

I was really taken by this shot when I first saw it.  There is a lot to look at and it breaks at least one rule, but is the better for that: instead of the setting creating separation of the birds from their surrounds, they almost blend in and disappear, especially the dark morph member of the pair.  The two birds are defined by their shape rather than tonal or colour separation.  Moreover, they are mirrored in the colour palette of the rocks.  The white morp bird matches the white areas of the rock while the dark morph is similar to the grey area in the lower left.  The intense rusty brown colours in the rock stand out and dominate as much or more than the two birds but interestingly in a way that defines the birds nicely.  Visually, this is a very interesting image.  While it would be a stretch to call the shot abstract, it certainly drifts in that direction.  I also love the pose the photographer has captured with the two birds almost intertwined and facing opposite directions, with both heads and eyes visible and turned slightly towards the camera.  The photographer has clearly shown skill in bringing out these aspects in the way the shot has been processed.  There is great definition and shape in the plumage and features of the birds.  Perhaps it is a little 'crunchy' in appearance but I think that has helped create a look that makes it successful for me.

Eastern Reef Egret

Commended:  Splendid Fairy-wren, by Mark Locker  (Image ID 38481)

While the 'cute' factor in this shot is obvious, it engages in another way.  It invites me to ponder the lives of these birds.  Do they feel love or joy?  I don't know.  Maybe not in the same way as humans do but surely there is something similar going on here.  The photo also provides a different take.  These tiny birds rarely sit still; they move constantly through the understory foraging and feeding, barely stopping for a moment to take a break (or to allow a photographer an opportunity).  As such the photo says something about the complexity of these birds' lives, their behaviour and the way their minds work.  The photographer's narrative about how he or she had been observing and stalking them for some time adds a new dimension that enhances my experience of the photo.  As I mentioned in my introduction, the shot would not work or invite me to ponder it if it wasn't well executed.  It is clear and sharp, the colours and tones look natural and the setting is relatively free of distracting visual elements.  Several composition choices would probably work for this but the one chosen is certainly fine and seems to have been selected to deal with the perch.  Equally, a shot with the birds more centred would have worked too but that's not a criticism.  Some might consider the perch a little heavy and out of proportion to the birds but it reminds me of the tiny size of these little wonders.

Splendid Fairy-wren

Special Mentions

Australasian Darter, by Mary Wheeler  (Image ID 38945)

Several other photos stood out for me.  Although I haven't marked them for a commendation, they are worthy of special mention.  In the case of this Darter, I very much liked the thinking and execution behind this shot.  The dark background is very effective and serves nicely to draw attention to the bird and the setting of tangled branches.  I notice the branches and twigs are a similar tone and colour to parts of the bird's plumage.  This helps complement and reinforce the shapes and patterns in the bird's plumage.  Technically it is well executed and processed.  The only detraction for me is that the bird is looking away from the photographer and it would have rated more highly if this had not been the case.  All the same, I applaud the photographer for recognising the visual interest here and capturing this interesting image.

White-faced Herons, by Jane Putland  (Image ID 39261)

My second special mention is a great action shot that captures an altercation between the two birds.  In addition to the action, I very much liked the low-angle perspective and the blurred heron in the background which adds context.  It's also excellent that the photographer was able to get both birds in good focus – a difficult achievement as more often than not, the birds will be different distances away and one invariably out of focus.  Even if the photographer has closed the lens aperture down for more depth of field, it often won't be enough to get both in focus in my experience.  In terms of processing the only thing I can fault is that it did look slightly washed-out.  I liked the raised wing and splash from the foot of the bird on the left.  If it had eye contact with the bird that has been chased off, this shot certainly would have rated a commendation or higher from me.  Overall, a photo well worth a special mention.

 

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