Property of the Queen, a photo from Manchester, England

Photographer's Note

Yes, that's right, all swans in the UK belong to the Queen and the punishment for harming one can be a jail sentence (it used to be the death penalty at one time)

I was SO fortunate with this swan, it was extrememly photogenic, normally they swim away when you get too close, not this beauty, she let me take about a dozen shots and it was so hard to choose which one to put up, I think this is the best one.

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Critiques | Translate

Aegean (2571) 2003-08-24 6:45

Perfect sharp details and DOF, wonderful colors, and this lightcatch in the eye makes it a great shot Mike...Framing is excellent too...Vey well done...

TimWilson (236) 2003-08-24 9:48

I agree fully with the above, I enjoy the animal closeup shots that people post and the detail that you have got on this one is excellent I particularly like the feathers on the bird with portray the softness very well and I like the water droplets around the eye. Very good shot. BTW I`m pleased that I clicked on the thumbnail and looked at this properly as the thumbnail does not do this justice.

Didi (61569) 2003-08-24 14:46

En France les cygnes ne sont pas farouches si on leur offre du pain.
On devine le reflet du photographe sur l'oeil. Image très nette. La pointe du bec est situé sur un point fort de l'image. Aïe mon doigt !

In France the swans are not savage if bread is offered to them. I guess the reflection of the photographer on the eye. Very clear image. The point of the nozzle is located on a strong point of the image. Ouch my finger!
God save the queen !

Guzman (577) 2003-08-24 18:41

Good capture Mike dof and cropping just right the beads of water and eye glint really do stand out here making this an excellent top quailty image, its so natural looking well done

nmess (2301) 2003-08-25 1:03

Very nice Mike. Good focus and DOF for such a portrait. well done.

Nina (5099) 2003-09-02 4:01

Nice portrait Mike,sharp and well composed, you were brave to get this close.:)

Janice (4403) 2004-12-06 2:08

She's very regal, isn't she? So up close and clear. I think you caught her so well. TFS, Janice