The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Here are four photos from a series of about seven photos that I took of a Great Blue Heron catching and eating a fish. The fish put up a bit of battle (as much as it could) before being devoured.
Specific Feedback
I am looking for feedback about how these photos work as a series. I have about seven or eight total, but I chose these as they (to me) show that the fish was still alive and tried to escape. I have others that show more of a a “spalsh,” when the heron first brought the fish out of the water, but these seem a bit cleaner to me. It was very low tide, and the algae in the water is a bit of a distraction, but I do like the reflection.
Technical Details
Nikon Z50 II and Nikkor 50mm-250mm lens. Cropped and edited on On 1 Photo Raw.
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:
The four together certainly show the viewer what is going on here Richard, the Herons efficient way of catching and dispatching of its prey. The series works.
I think that the third frame also works well as an individual shot. I notice that the first frame has the fish somewhat darker than the rest.
The reflection works nicely, but you have lost a bit of detail on the birds head through a tight crop or over processing possibly.
HI Richard. I agree with @Ryan_H that the image sequence tells the story quite well. I am seeing some lack of fine detail in the plumage, whether from cropping or processing is difficult to be certain, but I do think the amount of detail is adequate for anyone but the pixel peeping perfectionists on this site. I do find myself wishing for a cleaner setting as I find all that algae rather distracting, but there’s nothing you can do about that. A very nice sequence.
Richard: the sequence you captured certinly tells the story. I think frames 3 and 4 are good stand alone photos. The algae in the water causes loss of a good reflection, but that’s what the scene offered.
Very nice series, Richard. The second may be the best as it seems to show the heron working at securing the fish. I don’t mind the algae as it gives a sense of habitat.
