Great Blue Heron Taking Off

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

Heron 1.jpg
Heron 1.jpg1500×1000 1.17 MB

Heron 2.jpg
Heron 2.jpg1500×1000 1.19 MB

Heron 3.jpg
Heron 3.jpg1500×1000 1.18 MB

Heron Composite.jpg
Heron Composite.jpg1500×1000 1.2 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

I was fortunate to capture the Heron with the sun rising to my right-hand side. I am please with the creation of the common background in PS (taken from the first photo in the series) and the precision of the masks of the Heron in flight. I am less confident about the blur I added to the background at the longer focal range, but I am not fully displeased with the look.

Creative direction

I am attempting to catch the grandeur of the Heron in flight, with its 6-foot wing span. I was in the right place at the right time. I am also trying to capture the movement of flight in the first three images, and I am far less sure about the creative vision of the composite.

Specific Feedback

I am looking for feedback with respect to the compositing of the image. I am planning on printing the first three images (single Heron) for a display to be hung in the Janes Island Maryland State Park.

I am also looking for feedback on the blending of the masked images with the background.

I am also looking for specific feedback on the composited final image, with the Heron in different stages of flight. I am most unsure about the composite and whether it can be improved.

Technical Details

Sony a7RV with Tamron 150-500mm @500mm. f/6.7, ISO 1000, 1/1600s. Topaz AI to remove noise. The images are three consecutive images taken at 10 fps (Sony Hi+ mode).

Post-processing in Camera Raw and PS. I created a common background from the first image and made careful masks for all three Heron images. I attempted to match the lighting on the Heron in all three images.

Description

A great Blue Heron taking off from a pond adjacent to the Chesapeake Bay.

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2

Hi Charles, the masking looks really well done to me. I love seeing the bird fly through the frame as I flip through the series. Very cool. I think it is quite effective. Perhaps a little more room on the left and right so the bird isn’t so crowded on the edge of the frame as it leaves left and approaches right. I’m wondering what a little darkening of the BG would look like - you wouldn’t want to blend in the bird too much with the BG though. Great idea and well executed.

3

Thanks Allen. Since sharing this image, I added luminosity clipping masks to the bird layers which balanced the coloring. I will wait for some other comments and repost the images.

4

Charles, what a cool idea to get a common background. Well done. I also like the combined image very well. My only thought is that the background looks a little…crunchy…maybe reduce the sharpening or apply negative clarity to tame the edges of the reeds in the water. Of course it could just be an artifact of jpeg compression and reducing for the web…

Either way, I really like the shots and the concept.

Cheers,
David

5

A very nice series, Charles. The masking and compositing look very well done. I’d agree with Allen that a bit more room on the sides, particularly on the right would help the composite image. I’m a bit surprised at the amount of detail in the background at your settings and I think the images could benefit from a bit more blurring of the background. I’d also look at bringing down the brighter areas on the herons, particularly the second pose where the angle of the light is hiding the texture in the top of the wings.

Very nice work.

6

Thanks David. I’ll post the revise collections shortly. Great suggestions.

7

Thanks Dennis. Great suggestions. I will repost the edited photos shortly.

8

@Dennis_Plank @Allen_Sparks @David_Bostock Thank you all for your comments. Attached is the modified image with your suggestion. I appreciate your inputs – they were excellent.

Edited image based on comments received.

Post_NPN_Critique_Flattened_Working_Heron Composite Smaller Birds
Post_NPN_Critique_Flattened_Working_Heron Composite Smaller Birds1500×1000 604 KB

1 Like
9

Very nice work on the repost, Charles.

1 Like