The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
While making my way up the Spirit River I noticed an odd movement ahead and knew it was a swimming snake since I’ve watched snakes swimming before. Never got a photo though. It was a mad dash while the poor thing stopped in fear of the kayak. I was so crazily intent on trying to get it in frame and decently focused (with both me and it moving around) that I didn’t adjust my settings properly. But I like the pose, the water reflection and that little tongue.
Still it was an interesting challenge in both the technical sense and in my respect for nature and how badly I was frightening this poor creature. I got the shot luckily and the snake made its escape to the opposite shoreline.
Specific Feedback
Underexposed, but in decent focus so I gave it a salvage job - worth the effort?
Also, I wonder if this conveys any sense of vulnerability or danger. That’s definitely what I feel for many creatures on the water’s surface. Although we don’t have alligators here, we do have rather large fishes (Muskies, Northern Pike, various Bass species) and snapping turtles that can pluck the unwary to their deaths. Even though this little Garter was afraid, it hurried away from me so maybe that dash, plus the presence of the kayak, prevented predators from having a go. Who knows.
Lr for RAW processing to improve color and contrast, then into Topaz Denoise or possibly Sharpen AI to improve detail and reduce noise, Photoshop to remove some distractions. Cropped to this ratio & size.
Critique Template
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No evidence of a salvage job from here! Nice framing with fine focus and wonderful water. Good reactions to capture this. Glad you both survived.
I’m pretty sure I’ve seen snakes swim but can’t remember when or where, except once – a water moccasin when I was a kid and trespassing on a neighborhood property with a good-sized pond. I decided to leave.
I love this one. The focus on the head is excellent, and the body would be, er, snaking through the water and so we have a little motion blur there, which I think adds to the picture. Plenty of line texture, good color contrast between snake and water, and lastly the aspect ratio fits plum on my monitor. I saw a snake swimming over a river recently and I surmised it was seeking out the warmth on the sunnier side.
Thanks @linda_mellor, @Diane_Miller & @Mike_Friel - phew - the bones of the photo were present so the clean up worked, but that could have been all in my head. The movement of snakes on water is so lovely and I got lucky with this pose and angle with the sun and reflection.
I really like this image, and agree it was totally worth your efforts both in the initial capture and the processing. For me, the little detail of the tongue absolutely makes the photo. The water color works well with the white highlights of the snake, particularly on the body outline.
I’m not getting a sense of danger from the image though. But I’m not sure how you would convey that unless a predator or perhaps more of the environment where visible in the background. For me personally, I find the image ordered and balanced. The colors all work together. The ripples in the water surface are similar to the shape of the snake. I also appreciate that it is not the typical snake shot where the snake is all coiled up. It does a great shot of showing how this creature intearcts with its environment.
Kris, the sharpness of the snake, especially with its tongue out…checking you out, stand out well against the lovely greens in the rippled water. That extended tongue is the telltale of a nervous snake. They don’t usually do that while swimming.
Thanks @skip & @Mark_Seaver - glad it isn’t showing its faults. Those ripples are something, aren’t they? A gentle, but persistent breeze kept me company all day and the rich greens of high summer showed pretty well. And yeah, this wee one was not happy at my presence at all.
