The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
These are Superb Fairy Wrens, both males; the bottom one is an immature. They are tiny, thumb-sized birds that are itinerant in my paddock as they follow the food chain up and down the creek.
In many posts, I see comments mentioning highlights could be reduced or removed to avoid distraction. I was fascinated with the little circles of light and thought they were quite a fitting foreground for these Fairy wrens.
Specific Feedback
I watched Sebastien Blomme’s “Tiny Worlds” webinar yesterday. I enjoyed and connected with his style.
I realise the birds lack contrast and detail, as does everything else, but the images are somewhere where I would like them to be.
I can see a good deal of banding in the background that doesn’t show up on the PS files.
Technical Details
Both shot at ISO 400 150-600@600mm f6.3 1/500 very late afternoon.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
So cool!! I like the bokeh balls in the FG, but might minimize the one in each image right at the bottom edge. In the second there is a hint of the eye – I would be tempted to bring it out a little more, but that’s artist’s choice. In the first, for my taste the subject is just too tonally flat. But that’s just me – differences are tolerated. Other than that, I love it!
I watched the webinar too and vowed to try to be more creative.
Hi Glennie, Sorry that I missed the Tiny Worlds webinar - will have to catch a replay later. These are more artistic shots using light effects to add interest. I like the overall affect with the bird and the light playing accompanying roles. Always interesting to see something different than our normal presentations. TFS!
Very interesting images, Glennie. The backlight and low contrast fit the “Fairy Wren” name. Picking where to place the contrast, particularly in the male, has to be a very tough decision and would probably vary significantly from photographer to photographer. I like the sea of bokeh bubbles that they’re riding on. I experimented with a sheet of paper and to my eye it looks as if you could crop about half way up to the bird from the bottom in both images giving a slightly more classical aspect ratio and division between ground and sky.
The main thing I see here is that these aren’t just doing something whacky to be “creative”, but are truly designed to elicit a specific feeling in the viewer that fits the birds themselves which is a very good reason for doing it this way.
