# Feathers, Bark, and Attitude **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** birds\ **Created:** [May 2, 2025, 11:54am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/feathers-bark-and-attitude/46458 "2025-05-02T11:54:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![freddie](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/freddie/32/67615_2.png) [@freddie](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/freddie)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 11:55am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/feathers-bark-and-attitude/46458/1 "2025-05-02T11:55:00Z")
![PIC_6222-processed.jpeg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/a/6/a6c32e55ad0f789695dd662cc5d3c2903c7414e4.jpeg) ![IMG_0264.jpeg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/9/4/944dded67aba851906a30b59e5d4e577143aa4af.jpeg) Walking through the Florida pine forest and came across several turkey vultures attempting to stay coolFrom the bleaching heat of the sun > **Critique Style Requested:** _Initial Reaction_ > > Please share your immediate response to the image before reading the photographer’s intent (obscured text below) or other comments. The photographer seeks a genuinely unbiased first impression. ### Questions to guide your feedback General thoughts on composition or general thoughts on the image * * * ### 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: ---
**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:** [May 2, 2025, 3:43pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/feathers-bark-and-attitude/46458/2 "2025-05-02T15:43:58Z")
Welcome back Freddie. This is a really cool image of the vulture with the bright sun bringing out the brown tones in the plumage that normally look black against the sky. You didn’t mention whether you cropped this or not, but I with the vulture on the right side and looking in that direction (more or less), I could see losing most of the area to the left of the tree trunk. I also find the three diagonal branches behind the vulture to be a bit of an eye puller, particularly the dark one crossing the head. If you’re not averse to cloning, I’d consider removing those. I really like the detail in the bird and the setting is different from what we usually see for this species. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morrissey](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/peter_morrissey/32/683_2.png) [@Peter\_Morrissey](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Peter_Morrissey)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 9:38pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/feathers-bark-and-attitude/46458/4 "2025-05-02T21:38:02Z")
Hi Freddie I agree with Dennis about reframing the Vulture more to the left and you could also look at going up. the blacks, so show more the birds breast feathers. I like the overall look of this photograph. Peter ---
**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:** [May 4, 2025, 12:10am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/feathers-bark-and-attitude/46458/5 "2025-05-04T00:10:48Z")
Nice attitude, indeed, with that stare. Like Peter, I thought you could bring out more detail in the breast feathers (especially to suit your title) - maybe with the Adjustment Brush if you use Lightroom. ---
**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:** [May 4, 2025, 3:40am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/feathers-bark-and-attitude/46458/6 "2025-05-04T03:40:17Z")
Wonderful capture! I agree with more room on the right and maybe less on the left. I’d bring up more detail in the blacks and try to remove at least the lighter diagonal branch. This image is well worth the trouble to experiment. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Bostock](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/david_bostock/32/34921_2.png) [@David\_Bostock](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/David_Bostock)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2025, 2:47pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/feathers-bark-and-attitude/46458/7 "2025-05-04T14:47:01Z")
Turkey Vultures are such strange looking creatures. This is a great catch, Freddie. Others have given you some sound advice, me, I’ll just enjoy looking.