Bird's Eye View Photo

Photographer’s Note

I've posted a number of photos I refer to as "Rooms with View." I guess it would be appropriate to call this a "Bird's Eye View."

I was meandering through my home town with my new Canon 20D testing a lens that I'd bought with my first digital camera. I love the range of the Canon EF 28-135mm lens, but newer lenses are much sharper and I wasn't certain whether this is a keeper or not. I still haven't answered that question, though on this particular evening I took a number of photos of which I'm quite fond, including this one. I'm reminded, of course, of one of Isabel Abreu's images from Sao Paolo showing the wires above the street and the moon in the distance. But I recall no bird in that image. This one seems to be peering at the moon, though he likely has other things on his mind as day draws to a close. Perhaps you've noticed crowds of birds late in the day as they swing through the air before settling into what will be their perch for the night. No matter, I like the view even if the bird doesn't. Hope you do as well.

Rinie_Hoff, Isabelle has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

rhizomes (15325) 2005-09-23 2:18

Hi Curtis,
I like this kind of pictures, showing small details...The Moon gives a good atmosphere.
The tension of the electric lines is beautiful !
Christophe

RGatward (19749) 2005-09-23 3:48

Excellent observation of patterns against the sky, even without the moon, but that makes the shot for me.

Isabelle (9014) 2005-09-23 7:07

the power wires, the little white dot in the thumbnail together with your title made me open your image as soon as i saw it, Curtis, and the bird - seen only in the bigger image - becomes a great bonus and solves the puzzle.
Different from Richard´s opinion, i think the composition is made of fine details and if any was missed the shot wouldn be a little less successful than it is.
great pov, with the moon in a golden spot. excellent graphic quality!
the definition is amazing! you probably had few seconds to take this shot.
as a final contribution, allow me to upload a photo i made few weeks ago with the same subject but the moon.
Missed you around.

[workshop] [compare]

Rinie_Hoff (9334) 2005-09-23 9:55

Hi Curtis, when I saw it this morning, of course I immediately thought of Isabel, the queen of powerlines ;-) And the other funny thing and coincedence was that yesterday, I checked some of my pictures of Paraty, and one was with powerlines and birds, but not a moon. I'll too upload it as a workshop ;-)
The lines are attractive, there's a nice division of the space here, and the moon and the bird are beautiful.
I'll upload my version as well ;-)
Enjoy your weekend...

[workshop] [compare]

bertolucci (11994) 2005-09-25 6:43

Hi Curtis, I first thought that some audacious bird had converted this white isolator into a bird's house ;-) but examining this capture more closely I spotted the bird itself. I love powerlines and the effect that they have un urban scenes. In this one you zoomed in on the lines etc themselves and they make, together with the bird, for an exciting viewing xperience. The rhythm of the lines and pole is very strong and the inclusion of the moon and bird gives a nice twist to the scene, pushing the industrialness of it backwards.
I like the alternate takes on this motive a lot too, it's lovely to see a photohraphic laguage shared this way.
Very good job, Have a nice sunday, Bert.

pamastro (7213) 2005-09-26 1:00

This looks much like the pole in my backyard of which I have several photos in several different conditions. And mostly from points of view just as you have here. I have never gotten the moon with it, though. It's a nice link between two worlds as you have it. There is this and then the huge sky and space to the moon and beyond. It all has an uplifting feel through the wires as an obstacle. And the bird furthers that with its position perched between here and there. And as Isabelle mentions it's details in this that make up a whole. But what is nice is they are so subtle you don't even know they are there which lends itself to the big scope and feel.

Photo Information

Copyright: Curtis Grindahl (cgrindahl) (6109)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-07-16
Categories: Daily Life
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 IS, Digital RAW, Hoya Super HMC 72mm UV
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/640 seconds
More Photo Info: view
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2005-09-23 2:01