Godwits

Image Critiques
1

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Sea, sun and… birds

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How to fill a sky

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

Terschelling is one of the West Frisian Islands. Lying between the island and the mainland coast is a very special ecological zone, where birds flock in during the rising tide to rest. If the timing of the tide fits, the light also contributes to the view. And the birds of course do what they do best, being beautiful. I was once again struck by the innumerable ways they present themselves before our eyes.

Specific Feedback

Please share your experiences in similar settings. Tell me what to look out for next time. And of course tell me what I could have done otherwise. These sights literally fly by as fast as lightning. So every piece of advice on prepared camera settings are very welcome.
Of course, please also share your views on the pictures shown. Especially composition might be an issue here: How do you capture a flock and its sense of direction, where negative space does not invade the picture and render the flock too small to be noteworthy? Thank you in advance.

Technical Details

Canon EOS R6 ƒ/9 (largest aperture possible) 1/4000 800 mm (on RF 200-800mm lens) 1600 ISO
Canon EOS R6 ƒ/9 1/6400 800 mm 2000 ISO
Canon EOS R6 ƒ/9 1/8000 800 mm 2000 ISO

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

Hi Xavier, very nice images of these flocks. I love seeing these birds flying with the long beaks. I like the first two images best with the first image being my fave. The third one with the open space in the middle and birds concentrated on the sides gives a crowded look on the edges to me. Of the top two images, light seems best on the first one. I’m debating whether that front bird in the first image should go or not to give more room on the edge. May want to see what you think about that but the bird does give a sense of being a leader of the flock. Maybe just adding more space on the left in that image would be the trick.
Your settings look good to me as the birds look sharp throughout especially in the first two images.

3

Technically, Xavier, you did a good job capturing the Godwits in flight. My favorite is the second one, as I prefer a watery background over a blue sky.

4

These are good attempts at capturing a difficult subject. Prepared settings are pretty much essential for birds in flight.
I would suggest at least 1/000 second shutter speed and often you may need to over expose by maybe half a stop to allow for the bright light of the sky. Keep experimenting.

5

HI Xavier
I am going with frames 2 & 3. Nice work.
Peter