Fresh Catch

Image Critiques
1

Fresh Catch NPN.jpg
Fresh Catch NPN.jpg2500×1665 2.25 MB

Critique Style Requested: In-depth

The photographer has shared comprehensive information about their intent and creative vision for this image. Please examine the details and offer feedback on how they can most effectively realize their vision.

Self Critique

Composition work here ? I was going for the full water circle . Seemed to work with the placement of the GBH

The light was perfect. I like the eyes of the fish and the GBH are both visible

Creative direction

The catch of a fish by a GBH is always enjoyable to shoot and I have done it numerous times. This looks peaceful as it was. Well unless you are the fish.

Specific Feedback

Composition

Technical Details

Nikon Z8 Nikon 180-600. 1/2500, F8 ISO 6400

Used PureRaw3 for NR. I have found that the higher the ISO PureRaw seems to do a bit better than the NR in LR. 2000 or below I stay in LR.

Description

The interaction seems calm and it was. Why ?? As you probably know catching a fish for a GBH involves either stabbing the fish with the beak or yanking it out of the water very quickly. This fish was so big the GBH was unsure if it could swallow it. So it held the fish for several minutes deciding how to handle it. This posted frame is the fish being dunked into the water for “lubrication” in getting it down. Eventually it went down. Many nice looks came from this catch. I have never seen this behavior before.

2

Great catch of the catch! I like that you included the water circle to show the “movement”. The composition is great, with the eyes visible and technically with sharpness and non-distracting background. Very well done!

3

An unconventional angle, Andrew, but in this case it works. You had excellent depth of field, encompassing both the butt of the bird and the fish which really is the critical factor with this angle. Usually one or the other will be out of focus. Being able to see the eyes of both the heron and the fish also add to the the effectiveness of this image. Well done.

4

Great detail throughout the heron, Andrew, and getting both eyes in focus creates a compelling image. Amazing the heron can swallow a fish that size.

5

Hi Andrew, I’m often amazed at how large a fish a great blue can handle and manage to swallow. The composition looks good to me. You included much of the water circle and the bird stays off center with room in the direction it is angled toward.