Simple Pleasures

No fanfare. No hoopla. Just a beautiful day with sunshine, light breezes, calm waters, and a graceful egret in search of lunch.

Several elements make this image successful. First and foremost is the sharp reflection of the bird who has struck a lovely pose. In addition, the green leaves reflected in the water create a simple and colorful background.

The other major element that helps this image work is the light subject against a darker background. The egret almost pops off the screen. The warm-toned orange bill is a nice counterpoint against the cool greens.

The final touch, just a lucky happenstance, is that the largest black areas in the water frame the overall scene on the left and right. That helps to focus the eye on the bird and prevents us from straying out of the picture.

While we often have no control over the elements in a scenic or wildlife image, we do have some control over composition and where choose to position ourselves. This helps us place elements in the best combinations possible, given the circumstances.

TECHNICAL DATA
Shutter Speed 1/3200 sec.  Aperture f/8.  ISO 800.  Lens: Canon 200-400mm f/4L IS with 2x extender for an effective focal length of 800mm. Camera: Canon 5D Mark III. Gitzo tripod with Really Right Stuff ballhead and Wimberley Sidekick.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong."  --Laura Ingalls Wilder