Hawk, San Clemente, December* 2017 copyright Douglas Stockdale
Although I am interested in urban landscape, I don’t usually include the wildlife in my photographs. Nevertheless, last December while golfing with my son-in-law and grandson, this hawk just seemed to want it’s portrait taken. It landed on this adjacent tree and after one photograph, I walked closer, then closer and then right up to the edge of the brush, yet it still reminded in the tree. Perhaps it was focused on a potential lunch meal.
Noting the late large moon in the background, I was able to walk a little to the right to create this juxtaposition of the near and far; the heavens and the earth. Since it was a beautiful clear day, I also previsualized this composition that I could further tease out the moon in my black & white conversion in Photoshop. I wanted to keep this feature subtle as compared to the hawk, but allow it to become a nice little visual surprise upon inspection by the viewer. I think it works.
Since this is not the usual photo for me, having the seven day black & white challenge was a nice excuse, I mean opportunity, to share this image.
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* Limited time print offer: a 7 x 7″ black & white print is available for 24 hours after this post for a special price of $150 USD plus shipping. This black & white print size regularly sells for $300 USD. Archival pigment print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Matte (305 gsm), paper size is 8-1/2 x 11″, Edition size of 10 and the print will be signed and numbered in pencil. email me: doug@douglasstockdale.com
Cheers!
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