Forest Lake Cygnets

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

144A0446-3
144A0446-32000×1460 1.12 MB

144A0456.jpg
144A0456.jpg2000×1311 982 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

There is a man-made lake (really a glorified storm water retention basis) in the middle of a heavy populated suburb quite close to where I live. Every year, for as long as the lake has been there, a pair of black swans believe this is the best spot for them to breed. They usually successfully hatch three to five cygnets. And, every year, they lose the lot to predation by cats and eels. Good-meaning walkers feed the swans in the water. The eels, of course get fed too. So where the swans go, the eels go.

About three days after these images were taken they were all gone.

Specific Feedback

The images are quite different in temperature. Any preferences?
A bit of small twig removal and a big yellow brush on a layer to give appeal…?? Maybe it didn’t work.

Technical Details

Both images ISO 2500 150-600@270mm f6.3 1/1000 Images taken from below weir.

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:
2

I like both, Glennie, with a slight preference for the second because of the apparent interest in your camera of the leading cygnet. The colors are well within the normal ranges for slightly different lighting conditions and don’t bother me at all.

3

The eye-level look and the warm light (especially in the second), makes for a compelling image. Well done.

4

Nice low angle that shows up the cygnets very well. I like both the images, but prefer the warmth in the second image which makes the cygnets stand out a little better.

5

What gorgeous pictures and what a sad story! I had no idea eels would eat baby swans – they must be big eels.

Both are wonderful and with totally believable color. The little guys are so cute and well captured and presented! No nits at all.

Kudos for getting down low. I’m betting you tracked in some mud – from head to foot.

6

Love these. That first one is my pick. Really cool shot. Did you get wet, or muddy accomplishing this? Curious.

7

Hi Glenys
Great low angle photographs, I like number 2 the best, because of interaction with the twigs. Thank you for both the story and the photographs.
Peter