# Blue, Blue Feeling

**URL:** <https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-blue-feeling/47895>\
**Category:** Image Critiques\
**Tags:** birds\
**Created:** [August 24, 2025, 4:20am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-blue-feeling/47895 "2025-08-24T04:20:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 10\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mike\_Friel](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mike_friel/32/28003_2.png) [@Mike\_Friel](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mike_Friel)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2025, 4:20am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-blue-feeling/47895/1 "2025-08-24T04:20:29Z")

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![Blue, Blue Feeling.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/1/c/1cb5df1b2618c6a126e395003a3bf911195f682d.jpeg)

> **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_
> 
> The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

### Description

In the summer afternoon heat yesterday, a Grey Heron waited for a drop in temperature so it could move to a good fishing spot on the river.

### Specific Feedback

I tried to show how blue everything was without overdoing contrast- I was surprised there was no color cast. I left the bird and its shadow dark on purpose. For me this was mostly about the color. Thoughts?

### Technical Details

D500 + 150-600 (@600mm) 1/800 f13 ISO 1000

Tones adjusted in LR, Denoise, Curves in PS. Cropped.

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### Critique Template

Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.

- Vision and Purpose:
- Conceptual:
- Emotional Impact and Mood:
- Composition:
- Balance and Visual Weight:
- Depth and Dimension:
- Color:
- Lighting:
- Processing:
- Technical:

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**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2025, 12:39pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-blue-feeling/47895/2 "2025-08-24T12:39:02Z")

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So interesting!! The spotlight has just grazed the handsome subject and illuminated the perfect place! I love the reflection and the hint of clouds. The water reflects the sky and becomes the sky! A lovely surrealistic touch! I wouldn’t change a thing!

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**Author:** ![David\_Schoen](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/david_schoen/32/368_2.png) [@David\_Schoen](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/David_Schoen)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2025, 3:39pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-blue-feeling/47895/3 "2025-08-24T15:39:16Z")

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Very pleasing tonal qualities Mike. Well seen!

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**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2025, 5:22pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-blue-feeling/47895/4 "2025-08-24T17:22:54Z")

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Very interesting blue in this one, Mike. The heron fits nicely and I don’t think it needs to be brighter.

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**Author:** ![Youssef\_Ismail](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/youssef_ismail/32/486_2.png) [@Youssef\_Ismail](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Youssef_Ismail)\
**Post date:** [August 25, 2025, 6:13am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-blue-feeling/47895/5 "2025-08-25T06:13:41Z")

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Mike,

Like @Diane_Miller I found the spot light that just grazes the Heron very interesting. The reflection of the blue sky in the water both in the FG and behind the Heron, really gives the photo a surreal feel. Nicely seen and captured.

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**Author:** ![Allen\_Sparks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_sparks/32/63507_2.png) [@Allen\_Sparks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Sparks)\
**Post date:** [August 25, 2025, 9:18pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-blue-feeling/47895/6 "2025-08-25T21:18:27Z")

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Nice one Mike. The intermittent light works well and illuminates in a very complimentary manner. Nicely composed and I love seeing the clouds in the water. Well done.

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**Author:** ![Mike\_Friel](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mike_friel/32/28003_2.png) [@Mike\_Friel](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mike_Friel)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2025, 12:14am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-blue-feeling/47895/7 "2025-08-26T00:14:17Z")

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Thank you @Allen_Sparks @Diane_Miller @Dennis_Plank @Youssef_Ismail and @David_Schoen . I wasn’t 100% sure about the blue - it seemed very strong in the shot, but I do think that’s the way it looked at the time.

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**Author:** ![Jim\_Zablotny](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/jim_zablotny/32/3919_2.png) [@Jim\_Zablotny](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Jim_Zablotny)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2025, 12:52pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-blue-feeling/47895/8 "2025-08-26T12:52:54Z")

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The blue is strong but not objectionable. The blue has muted out the color of the bill slightly, but I would leave it as is. I think that you did well with the processing and you produced a top notch shot. Well done…Jim

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**Author:** ![Mike\_Friel](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mike_friel/32/28003_2.png) [@Mike\_Friel](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mike_Friel)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2025, 11:17pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-blue-feeling/47895/9 "2025-08-26T23:17:17Z")

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Thanks @Jim_Zablotny - I hadn’t noticed the bill.

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**Author:** ![Dave\_Douglass](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dave_douglass/32/5332_2.png) [@Dave\_Douglass](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dave_Douglass)\
**Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 9:12pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-blue-feeling/47895/10 "2025-09-01T21:12:46Z")

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Very cool capture. Double payoff with the heron. A keeper, for sure.
