The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
In August I led a private tour in South Africa for clients all making their first trip to Africa. In hopes of providing a varied photographic experience, we paired more traditional safari activities with a visit to Zimanga, known for its innovative underground hides. I first visited this property nearly a decade ago, before their lodge was complete, so it was fun returning to see how it’s developed. And though hide photography is not my favorite type of shooting, it was cool returning to some spots I first scouted all those years ago.
The Lagoon Hide at Zimanga was the location I was looking forward to most. I’d had success there before, but in general I like the design: two one-way glass windows on opposite sides of the hide, allowing for views in both directions. This really expands one’s photo opportunities, and on this morning I photographed everything from distant giraffes to spiders and damselflies. But birds are usually the main show here, and in this case we enjoyed an amusing interaction between a pair of Black Crakes. They’re small, very round, and have massive feet (good for walking across lily pads), so to see them moving at high speeds was highly entertaining.
Technical Details
Canon R3
Canon 100-500mm
ISO 800
1/1600th
f/5
Critique Template
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I’ve heard a lot about those blinds, Max. I think their designer has put them in quite a few places scattered around the world. This is a very cool image. It almost looks like a composite of the parts of the stride, though I know it’s not. It may just be the way my eyes react to high contrast, but it looks like there might be just a touch of white fringe above the crakes backs.
Hi Max,
This is fantastic. I just love the vibrant colors, the reflection, that perfect depth of field. And those poses! Just a wonderful capture indeed. I see a bit of white on the crake’s backs, but to me it looks like reflection off their feathers? Or some wetness on their backs? Not sure. It doesn’t look like processing issues to me, but my monitor is not the best either.
Sounds like this was a spectacular trip and experience. Looking forward to seeing more of your favorites.
ML
There’s definitely some lighter plumage along the backs of both birds (interesting, since nothing else indicates that they’d be immature… in fact, I assumed this was some sort of courtship/territorial chase between adults), but I’m not seeing any sort of halo or other effect similar to what Dennis mentioned.
Hi Max, really wonderful image with the action so nicely reflected as the birds run along. Birds and feathers all look natural to me. Those feet are something else. Wonder what having more room on the right would do. Terrific frame.
Max, this amazing scene has an almost comedic or comical chase taking place here. Nothing comical about your excellent image at all. A truly wonderful and expertly captured photograph…
Allen, there was room in the original frame to the right of the lead bird, but there was an OOF bit of grass and a couple of flies there (I’m not a “clone out the distractions” type). Regardless, for me this image is about the shape created by the two subjects and the reflection, so I feel the viewer’s focus should be centered, rather than needing to be led out of the frame.
