(Or possibly a goose. But I think it’s a swan.)
Yesterday’s entry (the one that features my first ever poem) had a lovely photo in. But of course I took more than just one good photo, duh!
So… for about 10 minutes I tried to get a swan to sit still. It’s a lot harder than you might think. I tried soothing noises (perhaps I should’ve podcasted this entry, so you could judge just how soothing my ‘swanish’ is), I tried arm-waving and then sitting dead still, playing dead. I even tried shining the light from my phone, hoping it would transfix him with mortal fear.
No dice. He just wouldn’t sit.
I almost got him! But, as you can see, it’s a bit of a shit photo. Alas.
But, my friends, do not despair for I have some pretty ones to make up for it!
First, the sunset that I was actually chasing (you’ll need a properly-calibrated monitor to make out the detail of the field):
(Beautiful, eh?)
This is about 20 minutes later but from the bottom of the valley so there’s a lot less available light. You can see how the sky could lead into the photo I showed you yesterday! I like the water lilies!
Finally, just as another example of what you can do with a little digital trickery, check this out:
This photo isn’t real (you’ve already seen the original, further up the page). But it’s still beautiful right? I wonder which one would sell better…
Ben
Aug 18, 2009
Great photos (are animals bastards for not posing properly!).
And I think I prefer the classic two thirds sky in the top one, nice colours in the edited version though.
Abi
Aug 18, 2009
Decoy Swan. You must be able to get em’… if not you know what you have to do. Sadly it involves white tights and a quantity of feathers, so as long as you stay BEHIND the camera at all times it should be FINE!.
Sebastian's mother
Aug 18, 2009
It’s a swan dear. Obvioulsy all those years feeding the wild birds at Moat Pond have not stuck in your memory…..
sebastian
Aug 18, 2009
Ol’ faithful two-thirds, eh eh! I actually prefer a little less grass, as I think it’s a bit boring. But it adds a nice bit of texture here… I think! And I love the treeline… and that one bigger tree in the middle!
Never work with children or animals, eh. Unless you have an army of decoys… or robotic babies…
The Demigoddess
Aug 18, 2009
Your mom should have a weekly post here.
I need to get out of the Philippines. I can’t see no damn swans in the area where I live. It’s all just buildings and traffic.
sebastian
Aug 18, 2009
I have discussed with my mother the idea of a weekly guest post… she might do it! I think she’s worried that she won’t find enough to write about. But I don’t think she need be worried…
Can’t you get to the coast?
chinkygirlmel
Aug 18, 2009
OMG! Great shots! It’s really really beautiful. I love em…=)
sebastian
Aug 18, 2009
Thank you, Chinky! (Wow, never thought I’d be able to say that in respectable company…)
Rachel
Aug 18, 2009
Gorgeous pictures.
…and I love your Mum. Does she have a spare room where I can stay? I imagine her as very motherly, good food, nice hair, great cuddles…and the ocassional aserbic comment. Brilliant. 
sebastian
Aug 18, 2009
I’m more of the acerbic one… but she swears more than me, interestingly!
Unfortunately if you stayed with my mum, you’d also be living with me… and, well, that could only end in disaster.
Rachel
Aug 18, 2009
She doesn’t swear surely, it’s all lies! *weeps* I’m only little, I wouldn’t take up much space. *pleads* Though I may pass on the peas at dinnertime.
…and I’ll stay away when it’s naked blogging time!
sebastian
Aug 18, 2009
Grovelling is not something that many women should or can get away with.
Sebastian's mother
Aug 18, 2009
Rachel, you sound like a lovely girl. You have me exactly right. I am indeed a very good cook and I have nice hair!
I am always looking after people too but I can be ascerbic sometimes. I don’t swear much, actually, only when really provoked! If you come and stay you will be guaranteed a big cuddle!
Demigoddess , I will try to write on Sebastian’s blog, but I find that I am so busy doing his cooking and cleaning and catering for all of his women that I don’t seem to find the time….
sebastian
Aug 18, 2009
Always giving away just a little bit too much information, mother…
timoteo
Aug 18, 2009
ahh, I’ve come across the same problem with animals and photography. Birds seem to be the most unprofessional, at least for me.
nicopolitan
Aug 18, 2009
Have I ever told you that you are an amazing resource for desktop backgrounds? I think I’ve used a different shot from you every week ever since I subscribed.
Keep this gorgeous images coming.
nicopolitan
Aug 18, 2009
*these.
Eleni
Aug 18, 2009
Silly animals that won’t cooperate. Did you try offering the swan compensation for posing for your photos? Perhaps it was having a bad feather day and was feeling self-conscious. Or maybe it found great satisfaction in spoiling your paparazzi shots.
sebastian
Aug 18, 2009
You know, Nico, people tell me that more often than I had anticipated
I know of about 10 people that use my photos as wallpapers now…!
I’ve always shied away from nasty watermarking for that very reason — I want people to enjoy the photos PROPERLY. I assume people will come to me for a proper signed/numbered print if they like a photo enough
He actually followed us around the lake Eleni, every time I tried to line up a photo he would swim into shot and then… prowl. Or parade.
MinD
Aug 19, 2009
Wow, what a difference between those photos. Is it bad I love the one you’ve digitally touched up a bit more? But that middle one, with all the blues, is the most gorgeous shot, by far.
sebastian
Aug 19, 2009
Ah, you like the middle one… I like that one too, though I think the composition is a bit ‘off’. It’s pretty, certainly, but I don’t know where to look…!
I think it’s about 50/50 on both photos at the moment, MinD, so it shan’t be held against you
pinkjellybaby
Aug 19, 2009
I actually think the swan one is the nicest out of the lot!