The photographer has shared comprehensive information about their intent and creative vision for this image. Please examine the details and offer feedback on how they can most effectively realize their vision.
Self Critique
I love the spectral highlights from rain drops on the grass, The Common tern wing position catches the early sun rays nicely. I wish the entire bird was below the brown hillside in the background. The next frame after this shot accomplished that but the wing position was off and the foreground grass covered much of the bird.
Creative direction
When I got to this site the rain was just ending and the sun was peaking over the horizon. The extent of the spectral highlights was not that evident until I saw the image in post. But, I liked the warm fresh feel of a new summer morning.
Specific Feedback
I would appreciate any of the above.
Technical Details
Sony A1, 600mm f4 with 1.4 TC, ISO 2000, f 5.6, 1/5000, tripod.
Cropping in post to get the bird off center and exclude a bit of sky in the BG. The image was warmed and highlights and vibrance controlled, all in LRcc.
Description
This beach area is home to summer nesting colonies of Terns, Skimmers and Oystercatchers. I photograph there often but I am always looking for climate changes to help make the images more unique. This particular morning I went out in the rain before sunrise as the weather reports looked like the storm was passing. As the sun rose the rain stopped leaving the wet sea grasses and a bit of humid mist rising from the ground.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Hi, the brown color « cutting » the edge, was the first thing I’ve seen the first 5 secondes . Your image is so sharp the depth of field perfect, all in a nice warm light: congratulations you tick every boxes of a beautiful image.
You said in the comment you crop the image in post, maybe I would place the bird slightly more on the left. That’s the only comment I can make with a so nice image.
Wonderful image Stan. The lighting is sublime. The focus is great, the little round Bokeh spots really add to the wonderful colors throughout. I actually like the placement of the bird in the frame here. Welcome to NPN.
Thanks! There are lots and lots of Common Terns in this area but getting one low in the grass with the right wing position even at high FPS after a rainstorm, well there is some luck involved.
Hello Stan. I’m not trying to be argumentative and I’m not the posting police, but upon further reflection I think my original comment was correct.
No offense taken!
The last sentence of the challenge certainly makes it sound like just sunset/twilight. But as best I can tell, some of the images posted for this challenge are taken at sunrise.
Anyway I’m too new on this site to disagree…
Stan, this is a lovely image of this tern and grasses nicely backlit by the last rays of the sun. The sharpness of the bird and it’s wing position are striking. All of the out-of-focus specular highlights are a fine addition, but they tell me that there was some sunlight, which is not the definition of twilight. This would have been a great entry for last week’s challenge and I’m glad you posted it. BTW, you’re not the first person to “stretch” the definition of a weekly challenge.
What a lovely shot - I especially like the foreground specular highlights, as they are far more often in backgrounds, and work beautifully here. Bad luck with the definition of “twilight”! Maybe you could move this shot to “Avian” where it would be admired by the bird-lovers there.
This is beautiful Stan. Love the artsy rendition with the yellow highlights along with the great pose and wing position of the bird. Nice subject placement in the frame and overall composition. Well done.
. Your image is so sharp the depth of field perfect, all in a nice warm light: congratulations you tick every boxes of a beautiful image.