# Great Egret + Rework

**URL:** <https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-egret-rework/49161>\
**Category:** Image Critiques\
**Tags:** birds\
**Created:** [December 24, 2025, 9:59am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-egret-rework/49161 "2025-12-24T09:59:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mike\_Friel](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mike_friel/32/28003_2.png) [@Mike\_Friel](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mike_Friel)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 9:59am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-egret-rework/49161/1 "2025-12-24T09:59:41Z")

</div>

Rework:

 ![Great-Egret-Rework](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/c/9/c9b2587936938cb9ecafbd616b0d0a3fb4bb632b.jpeg)

Original:

 ![Low Key Egret.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/d/d/dddfb51ef19102d20b43e3f82c1c1187abb09fee.jpeg)

> **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_
> 
> The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

### Description

When I saw this Great Egret I liked the interplay of whites and shadows. So I tried a low key shot.

### Specific Feedback

All suggestions welcome, especially about exposure.

### Technical Details

OM1 + 100-400mm+TC14 (@321mm) 1/640 f13 ISO 1600 -1.7 EV

Adjusted tones in LR and converted to B and W. Denoise, then in PS adjusted Brightness and Contrast in Nik Silver Efex Pro.

* * *

### 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:

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Antonello\_Provenzale](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/antonello_provenzale/32/4658_2.png) [@Antonello\_Provenzale](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Antonello_Provenzale)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 10:37am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-egret-rework/49161/2 "2025-12-24T10:37:45Z")

</div>

Very nice egret portrait, with the play of dark and light zones… Low key for such a super-white bird can be complicated - but it works in this picture. The only point is that I would lighten a bit the head of the egret, right now it is vanishing in the background (less so in the higher resolution version, though). Apart from this, a very elegant image!

Edit: and the dark reflection reminds me of the doppelganger of the egret…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 3:33pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-egret-rework/49161/3 "2025-12-24T15:33:18Z")

</div>

A intriguing image, Mike. Definitely different as we rarely see a low-key white subject. I know it would probably fall outside normal bird photography, but take a look at this one rotated 180 degrees. For some reason I like it much better that way.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mike\_Friel](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mike_friel/32/28003_2.png) [@Mike\_Friel](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mike_Friel)\
**Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 5:27am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-egret-rework/49161/4 "2025-12-25T05:27:49Z")

</div>

Thank you - @Antonello_Provenzale - I’ve lightened the bill a little. @Dennis_Plank - yes, I prefer it flipped too.