GBH - Which Wing Position?

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
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Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

I was so fortunate to be walking into the sunrise at our local wetlands and happened to look behind me to see this GBH coming my way. The early morning sun just lit up the bird and I took a bunch of shots. These are the best two and have minimal to no shadows on the bird.

Specific Feedback

So which wing position makes a stronger image. I think the first one is my preference, but would like to hear what other’s think and why.

Oh, and any other comments are greatly appreciated.

Technical Details

Nikon Z8, 800mm, 1/2000 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 1100.

These are flipped horizontally so the bird is flying to the right. Just felt better…

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2

While the first is perhaps more text-book elegant, I prefer the second. It shows off the chest feathers (?) and there is a broader range of sunrise tones and feather detail to my eye.

2 Likes
3

Both are wonderful with great detail! I’m a sucker for the wings down pose but Mike has good points for the other one.

The birds feel a little underexposed to me, and a little on the red side, although early light often does that. Lots of room to tweak with such good captures.

4

Beautiful light, David. I tent to prefer the raised wings in this case. They have a more dynamic look.

5

Hi, David - I also prefer the raised wing position.
Seems just a little dark from here, but I don’t know how the light was.
Excellent detail and eye!

6

I’m partial to the raised wings. Nice captures.

7

@Mike_Friel, @Diane_Miller, @Dennis_Plank, @Sandy_Richards-Brown, and @christinedorresteinphotography thank you for the comments and suggestions. Looks like Wings Up wins.

It was rather dark with the sun just peaking over the far hills. But I’ll look at lightening them up a bit.

Thanks again.