Marsel van Oosten
07-13-2012, 06:40 AM
http://images.nikonians.org/galleries/data/3365/JAP_KUS_110221_879-copy.jpg
>Click here for large version< (http://images.nikonians.org/galleries/data/3365/JAP_KUS_110221_879-XL.jpg)
This was shot on last year's Japan workshop. Whooper swans can also be photographed outside of Japan, but nowhere do you get to shoot them with such stunning scenery and backdrops as on Hokkaido. We visited this great lake that freezes over in winter, except for a few parts close to shore where warm water from natural hot springs runs into the lake. Obviously, the swans prefer this over the ice, and as the rest of the lake is frozen, there are many swans in a few relatively small areas - perfect for photographers.
On this particular morning the conditions were very good - a crystal clear sky with a good view of the mountains in the background, fog, some soft sunlight, and a lot of swan activity. We got flocks flying low over our heads, fly-by's, landings, take-offs, wing flapping etc.
I like the different activities all in one image; sitting, sleeping, flying, landing and calling (the one on the far right in the distance).
Curious what you think.
Marsel
Oh, and if you're wondering what's with the two capital O's in my user name - that's a typo. Sent a message to the admin twice, no response. Can someone correct this?
>Click here for large version< (http://images.nikonians.org/galleries/data/3365/JAP_KUS_110221_879-XL.jpg)
This was shot on last year's Japan workshop. Whooper swans can also be photographed outside of Japan, but nowhere do you get to shoot them with such stunning scenery and backdrops as on Hokkaido. We visited this great lake that freezes over in winter, except for a few parts close to shore where warm water from natural hot springs runs into the lake. Obviously, the swans prefer this over the ice, and as the rest of the lake is frozen, there are many swans in a few relatively small areas - perfect for photographers.
On this particular morning the conditions were very good - a crystal clear sky with a good view of the mountains in the background, fog, some soft sunlight, and a lot of swan activity. We got flocks flying low over our heads, fly-by's, landings, take-offs, wing flapping etc.
I like the different activities all in one image; sitting, sleeping, flying, landing and calling (the one on the far right in the distance).
Curious what you think.
Marsel
Oh, and if you're wondering what's with the two capital O's in my user name - that's a typo. Sent a message to the admin twice, no response. Can someone correct this?