Shape, Line, and Luck

You never know when everything will come together and present you with just the right shot. This group of Snow Geese could not have arranged themselves more perfectly in the sky than they did here.

I had been watching several bands of geese fly over and hoped that something interesting would take shape. This moment lasted only briefly and I was thrilled to snag the shot.

Being prepared is the best way to get those special shots that come and go quickly. You have to be familiar with your equipment, have the right shutter speed and f/stop pre-set, and be ready to fire off shots with little warning. 

One trick that works well is to take a test shot in advance. Since I had hoped to get a shot of geese flying over, I took a test shot of the sky to make sure the exposure was accurate. Because the geese, even though they are white and brightly lit, take up a very small portion of the image, the basic exposure for the sky was good for the final shot as well. I did use the Highlights slider in Lightroom to reduce the brightest highlights on the birds.

So take a test shot, check the Histogram, and then make any adjustments that are needed. Once you are set, sit back, relax, and wait for something exciting to unfold before you.

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TECHNICAL DATA

Shutter Speed 1/200 sec.  Aperture f/5.6.  ISO 100.  Handheld.  Lens: Canon 17-40mm f/4L, set at 40mm.  Camera: Canon 7D.  Handheld.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “My life is one long curve, full of turning points.”  --Pierre Trudeau