This was taken on the African coast in Walvisbay Namibia when the sun was beginning to set but casting harsh light on the water. I loved the silhouettes of the flamingos. I changed the color of the water from muddy green to blue and cropped the photo to 8x10 vertical and added a vignette.
Any thoughts welcome. Wondering if I should make the crop wider and not standard size. 2nd Pic is Original uncropped (after color change. ).
Technical Details
Fuji XT3, XF70-300 @ 278mm (418 w/crop sensor). Processed in photoshop with Topaz Denoise, Nik Photo Stylizer (change water to blue), and added a vignette.
Lovely silhouettes and colors! The first version feels a little cramped and I always wonder why adhere to any of the “standard” crops? I crop to what feels like it suits the composition.
A very cool silhouette, Roberta. I agree that the crop feels a bit tight. I usually follow Diane’s method unless I have a need for a specific crop. For a digital presentation, almost anything will work.
I like both crops but I think I prefer the breathing room on the uncropped version. I think it’s possible that something in between might also work. This is sort of an intimate image and in the uncropped version there is a lot of negative space but the cropped version is a little bit tight. I love the fluffed feathers on the right bird which gives this image some life and some movement/motion. I also like how they are facing each other with the right bird leaning in. Do you have any captures where they are more interactive? Would love to see that if you do. Very nice backlit image, Roberta!
@David_Haynes thank you for your thoughtful and detailed feedback! I don’t have another one with these two interacting but that’s a good thought, thank you!
