Central Park, East 60s.
More random people commented on my presence on the sidewalk while I was taking this picture than ever before in my photographing career. Must have been close to ten people that said amongst themselves that “That’s going to be a great photo” or “What a beautiful tree.” Most of them loved how the flowers were growing right on the bark. I felt, while taking this shot, like I’d helped a small part of the world notice something beautiful that they wouldn’t have otherwise.
3 Comments
May 5, 2006 at 5:59 am
Gorgeous shot. It’s almost funny how fluffy and unkempt the bird looks compared to the sublimity behind him–but not so much that it takes away from the photo at all. Really good stuff.
May 5, 2006 at 8:36 am
Thanks, Jandalf. It’s funny, I didn’t even think of the bird as unkempt until you pointed out that he looked a little scruffy. Very New York.
Also, can I just say how difficult it is to shoot birds up in trees at 150mm? You need DOF like nobody’s business and yet the shutter speeds still have to be uber-high. I’m lucky I got this guy in a still moment.
May 5, 2006 at 9:20 am
I feel your pain, man. And I’m frankly quite impressed at how sharp you got this shot–not that the lens couldn’t do it blindfolded (as it were) but just in terms of getting those spastic small birds in a moment of calm. My personal problem around here is just getting close enough, even at 200mm. I think the birds are more skittish being the country-folk that they are. You either have to have a 500mm f/4 or do what you did, and close down the DOF. And yeah, shutter speeds can be real pain in the neck. I like to shoot birds at high noon for that reason