Creature from the Black Lagoon

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
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-20250424-_SA16958-Hummingbird nest-Edit-2.jpg
-20250424-_SA16958-Hummingbird nest-Edit-2.jpg1541×2048 1.66 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

On my walk back to the car from the hummingbird’s nest last week there was a pair of Hooded Mergansers in a fairly open area of the stream and I took a few images. It’s a pretty steep angle from the boardwalk to the water-one reason I don’t shoot at this refuge all that often despite its proximity.

Specific Feedback

I figured cleanup was a lost cause in this image, so I decided to be a little humorous about it. I brought the blacks and shadows down quite a bit in the water, though it was already fairly dark. Does that elicit the “Black lagoon” feel?

Technical Details

Sony A1, FE 200-600 + 1.4 TC @ 840 mm, monopod, f/9, 1/500, iso 4000. Processed in LR & PS CC. Cropped from a horizontal to 2918x3879. I didn’t bother with noise reduction for this one.

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1 Like
2

Dennis: Your title and the critter’s expression made me LOL :rofl:. I think you made some nice lemonade here. Kudos to you sir. >=))>

3

Talk about a bad hair day! This is so comical. I just love all the debris on his head and that look that says, “what are you looking at.” Yes, darkening the water gives the impression of a creature from the Black Lagoon. Thanks for sharing this. You made my day!!!

4

Oh! This is a great image! This is how 90% of my birds look. I’m pleased I’m not the only one who can shoot birds that look like this.

I might post some of my humourous images.

5

Pretty nice head on look at the merganser-usually they’re headed in the opposite direction. Interesting how narrow the head is.