 "Nature Photographer #1" Donna Chafin, December 8, 2007 Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, Texas |  "Nature Photographer #2" Donna Chafin, December 8, 2007 Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, Texas |
This is my belated post for December 8th's "This or That" photo pair.
Before daybreak on Saturday, Donna and I were on the road to Muleshoe Wildlife Refuge to see if we could catch the sandhill cranes before they left White Lake to feed. It was a bitterly cold morning. And we were sleep-deprived from celebrating her photo in the show in Lubbock the night before. But once the lake came into view, and the sound of tens of thousands of cranes could be heard even while the car doors were still closed, you could not have found two more blissed-out human chicks.
Both of our earliest morning shots were blurry. I'm not sure if it was frozen fingers or pure excitement that caused this dreaded phenomenon. But as the sun rose, our fingers more warm, and as we became more settled, our shots got better. After about an hour, once the majority of the birds had swooped off to begin their day in fields afar, I turned my camera to capture Donna, at her happiest.
Which photo do you prefer? (We'll be using the photo with the most votes to update Donna's blog photo to reflect a now winter photographer.)
17 comments:
Crystalline beauty. Great to see this lake and the cranes in different weather,a different facet of the gem, as last time it was at sunset.
I like the way the lake is very still and like a mirror, as every thing is when it is very cold. I also like your friend Donna's headscarf, as it is in perfect keeping with the surroundings! Maybe fashion photography next....lol
I love seeing Donna's strong fingers and hands as she takes a picture. The distance shot shows the loneliness of wildlife photography. Not fair! I can't choose...but ultimately I must. I choose...number....1.
You have great photos...what kind of camera do you use?
#2, I love both and was going to pick #1, but #2 shows just what it is she does so well.
I like #2 for the beautiful serene scenery, but for Donna's blog photo, I have to choose #1.
I like them both equally. I can't pick
Hi Debi,
I am going for door #2 ... oh, I mean picture #2. I like the way the photographer is part of the scene and not apart.
I will be gone for a couple of days so I will post but not comment. I have the posts written. See you soon!
~ Diane Clancy
www.dianeclancy.com/blog
Ok you inspired me Debi. Here is my new blog:
http://photozan.blogspot.com/
I just hope I can take pictures that compare to yours!
I prefer Photo #1 on this post.
Hi Debi. Lovely pics and lovely story to go with them! The things we do for our photos! I once waded through FREEZING knee deep water (from melted snow) to get underneath a waterfall. Madness.Anyway I love photo 2. The distance of your friend Donna shows the isolation of the area and the clear, clear skies are shown to their full beauty. I love that in this pic she is not imediately obvious and has become part of the landscape, especially with the camo cape on.Beautiful work!
I prefer photo nr. 1 as in the second one she looks like a seal sunning on the beach and it is hard to tell what she is doing, although it does have its plus points too, such as scenery. But it has to be nr. 1, definitely.
I always come back to your blog the next day to catch the followup comments, and notice I've forgotten to choose, so 1.
Though picture 2 is beautiful as a landscape, and I think it is a fantastic picture, it does Donna no favours as it is not clear what she is.
However, the first picture shows several things about her, her strength, her stunning physical beauty, her total concentration on the moment, and her oneness with her camera.
Apart from that, I gasped when I saw it because it is very emotional as well, it shows your love for this special person who is your great friend and inspiration. It is a very moving picture, so I vote use that for her blog.
You guys are a great bunch of peeps, you know that?
Bev, LOL. Fashion photography? Donna? Me? Unless it is the latest fashion of what the owls are sporting this season, or whether grass is bending curled or straight, then we two are hardly interested as our wardrobes can attest. She did look cute in her camo poncho, didn't she?
Mom, I like her hand a lot in this shot too. I'm not being immodest because I was so frozen that I hardly knew what I was doing when I took it.
Welcome Sandollar and thank you. I use a Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ5. Look for a picture of it on the right side of my blog. I love this camera. It suits me and my style. There are much $$$$$ out there now, but I'm completely happy and still haven't pushed this camera beyond its abilities.
Hi Windy. I love that view, too, and could not for the life of me decide which photo I liked better.
Nelda, you've made a good point. Since it's for the blog...
Audrey, like mother like daughter. I couldn't decide either. (And still can't really.)
Diane, thank you for voting for #2. It was getting creamed by #1 in the battle of the blog. You are going to be missed. Be safe, have fun, and come back soon!
Fawzan, thank you for voting. Hope you'll continue to drop by and vote. You'll find my enthusiastic comments on your blog. WOW.
Lisa, thank you for the comments. It's nice to hear there are other loonies out there risking life and limb (and dignity) to get a shot.
Irene, I laughed and laughed. Yes, a seal. Donna and I have already had a good laugh about this picture. At some point I'm going to tell a little story on her on the blog, and you'll get an extra hoot out of it as you have already made the point that she looks like an animal instead of a human in #2.
Bev, thanks for clearing that up because I had you down for #2, since you commented on it most originally.
Frances, Donna is a beauty in so many ways. You all would like her and you Frances I think would have a special affection for her as you remind me a bit of her. Thank you for articulating so well the feelings of the photos. It's true. She is a great friend and a lovely woman.
The winner -- and soon to be on her blog -- is the closeup of Winter Photographer, #1.
Always playing the part of Jane-come-lately, I still want to chime in. Yay for photo number 1!! It "captures" so much and leaves us wondering what the photographer is seeing and will soon be sharing with us. Love it!
I choose no. 1 too - for all the stated reasons - I think it would make a great profile photo for Donna as well.
I love the little pair of Jane-Come-Latelys at the bottom. Neda and Rima I hope you'll never not comment because some sort of arbitrary time is up. My posts don't seem "final" until you've weighed in.
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