Critique Style Requested: Initial Reaction
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Image Description
Initially I wasn’t too happy with the composition of this photo - I would have liked more space at the bottom of the photo to make it completely symmetrical. But I kept looking at it, and found it special enough to share.
At sunrise in the Lentorre Lodge photography hide, the hungry Lilac-breasted Roller takes position on the tree to check if there might be a tasty insect in the water. Luckily for him and for us, there usually is 
Lentorre Lodge, Lake Magadi, Kenya
EXIF:
Nikon Z8
Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2,8 @ 200mm and f/2,8
1/2000s
ISO 3200
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Hi Ingrid, love the action captured here… what a moment you caught! Love seeing bird rising from the water with the splashing water and great wing position. Seems to have a catch too which is great. The reflection adds a good bit of interest too for me. Terrific shooting angle which puts us right there with the bird. Image is posted small so it is hard to comment on sharpness but the body seems sharp with a pleasing amount of wing blur showing motion.
EDIT: seems like you could pretty easily add space on the bottom to balance out the image. Would be worth the effort.
A very motion-evocative image, Ingrid. Nice wing position and the spray patterns are awesome. I do think the spray could be emphasized a bit, particularly in the area with a dark background. I have lots of that where I’m located and I’ll sometimes brush over the spray area in LR raising the highlights a bit which just picks up the drops.
I’m pleased you decided the image was “special” enough to share. It’s just beautiful. The water droplets and pose of the bird are wonderful. I love the low view point.
I like the composition as posted but for comparison I would consider shaving a little off the left and adding perhaps adding to the bottom. I would also consider moving the reflection of the bird a little closer to the bird, if that’s within your photography ethics.
Ingrid,
Terrific catch and action! As others mentioned, the spray trail really helps emphasize that action and moment in time.
Clearly the reflection is an important element. I would agree that if you could somehow extend the canvas just a bit for some breathing space below the reflection. Minor pt, but perhaps important if you were to print.
Hi Ingrid
Very nice wing coloing and detail. The reflection is a plus. My only nit is the bird in centered.
Peter
Thanks so much all for your time and advice!
@Allen_Sparks : Yes, I’m sure it would be possible to add extra space at the bottom. This however goes beyond what I want to do with an image.
@Dennis_Plank : Thanks Denis, I’ll brush over the spray to raise the highlights.
@Glenys_Passier : Thank you! I have tried shaving off the left (and likewise on the top because I like to keep the 3:2 ratio), but there’s only so much I can do without losing some of the spray. And I do like the way the out of focus tree adds some direction to the image. Moving the reflection of the bird closer, is a no no for me. I’ll just have to go back and try again!
@Lon_Overacker: Thank you for your advice. See my reply to Allen above. I will not print this image for that same reason.
@Peter_Morrissey : Thank you. I know, with hindsight it’s a photo that I just will not use. But for future ‘spray’ photos I’ll make the spray a bit more visible!
Grt, Ingrid.
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Hi Ingrid
I hope you don’t mind, I downloaded your photograph into DXO PhotoLab and trimmed the framing. I find no reason not to use this photograph.
Peter
Thank you, @Peter_Morrissey, of course I don’t mind you downloaded the photo. Thank you for taking the time to make and post this crop. I suppose it is acceptable this way. I just miss the tree because I know it was there, but if you don’t know, what’s there to miss? I’ll probably crop it ‘your way’ for future use!
Grt, Ingrid.
