The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
This was taken both later in the day than I like and further away than ideal. But I feel like it was a lucky capture.
Specific Feedback
I did a ton of processing on this. It is a huge crop. I did use Topaz Photo AI to (1) denoise (2) sharpen (3) enlarge since the crop was so big. I feel like the fish looks a bit fake, probably from the sharpening and enlarging since it is such a big crop. Did a lot of clean up in the background. Does it look natural or over processed? Does the fish stand out enough from the background? All comments and suggestions appreciated.
Technical Details
Critique Template
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Great action shot here Elizabeth. Nice catch with the GBH playing with its food. I felt like your version was just a touch too bright, and a needed a touch of leveling. See what you think. I just adjusted the levels and the brightness and applied a 0.75 degree level adjustment. I hope you don’t mind.
Hi Elizabeth. To me the image does look a bit over processed. The plumage in the heron has that slightly hyper-realistic look. The fish stands out enough-given the background I don’t think it’s going to stand out a lot, but the open beak leads to it and people will find it. Since this is a large crop I’d add some canvas back on the bottom to give room for the virtual legs and feet. Long legged waders are tricky that way and they look strange cropped too tightly on the bottom. I’m always cutting them off when I don’t mean to do so.
Great timing on this shot! I like the look of anticipation in the heron’s eye. I think darkening the background helps. The heron seems a bit tight in the frame and the environment is pleasing.
I posted an updated that I hope is an improvement. I did a lot of clean up to make the environment less distracting, hopefully it looks okay. Any and all suggestions or comments appreciated. Thank you!
I like the more open presentation, though I know the fish gets very small in the frame, Elizabeth. The Heron looks better to my eye and the background isn’t bad at all.
Elizabeth, I think this is a great action catch. Might be a bit harsh light, but you did a good job of taming it. I like the repost except for one minor nit…
I was told years ago by a knowledgeable wildlife photographer that even if we can’t see the subject’s feet we should leave room in the frame so the viewer can imagine them and not feel like they’re cut off. Not sure if that’s a “rule” but I think your repost cut too much off the bottom. Somewhere in between the two seems right to me. Perhaps our moderators, @Dennis_Plank or @Allen_Sparks might weigh in on the cropping invisible feet off idea…
@David_Bostock Thank you for the feedback!!! The one on top is the rework, not the lower one. I think the one on top has a lot more room on the bottom?? @Dennis_Plank had pointed out on my initial one that I needed more room on the bottom. That was a rule of thumb I didn’t know, that you for telling me!
