# Great Egret **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** birds\ **Created:** [January 7, 2026, 1:27am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-egret/49313 "2026-01-07T01:27:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Allen\_Sparks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_sparks/32/63507_2.png) [@Allen\_Sparks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Sparks)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 1:27am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-egret/49313/1 "2026-01-07T01:27:37Z")
![Great Egret 96.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/d/9/d9cfa44e3620467e492f6c1bdb575c0e0a440b45.jpeg) Original image with no edits: ![Great Egret - no edit](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/a/3/a3b5d11f32a7a9892d906b42f6a667fd6701cf03.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description Visited the local state park today and saw this egret flying towards me. ### Specific Feedback Decided to try this in black and white. Any thoughts? ### Technical Details Canon R7, 200-800mm, hand held ISO 6400, f9, 1/1600s Processed in DXO PureRaw 4 and Photoshop. * * * ### 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: ---
**Author:** ![Gill\_Vanderlip](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/gill_vanderlip/32/54254_2.png) [@Gill\_Vanderlip](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Gill_Vanderlip)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 1:43am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-egret/49313/2 "2026-01-07T01:43:02Z")
The Tone and Composition and perfect in B&W… This is really an interesting image… The wings and just the whole vibe of this images to so Cool !!! ---
**Author:** ![Allen\_Brooks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_brooks/32/390_2.png) [@Allen\_Brooks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Brooks)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 2:33am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-egret/49313/3 "2026-01-07T02:33:35Z")
Black and white works well, Allen, to let the egret pop. Good wing detail. Nice to get one coming at you; I usually get the other end. ---
**Author:** ![Ingrid\_Vekemans](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/ingrid_vekemans/32/2252_2.png) [@Ingrid\_Vekemans](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ingrid_Vekemans)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 11:07am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-egret/49313/4 "2026-01-07T11:07:01Z")
Nice frontal flight shot, Allen! I do, however, miss the colour in the background, which I can just about imagine. Any chance of sharing the colour version as well to compare? Grt, Ingrid. ---
**Author:** ![Allen\_Sparks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_sparks/32/63507_2.png) [@Allen\_Sparks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Sparks)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 1:27pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-egret/49313/5 "2026-01-07T13:27:51Z")
Hi Ingrid, I included the original image with no edits above. I straightened the bird for the final edit. My photography club is having a black and white contest in February so I am playing with possible entries. ---
**Author:** ![Ingrid\_Vekemans](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/ingrid_vekemans/32/2252_2.png) [@Ingrid\_Vekemans](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ingrid_Vekemans)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 2:13pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-egret/49313/6 "2026-01-07T14:13:47Z")
Ah, I have to say I prefer the colour version. I hope you don’t mind me putting the photo through a bit of Lightroom Classic 🙃 - for me the bird doesn’t need to fly straight nor does it need to be cropped as much. I’ve cropped a bit, then inreased colour temperature slightly, then darkened the BG a bit. In colour it feels more alive to me, but then that is my usual preference, so totally personal. I understand you have a B&W thing going, in which case I would personally consider your original version but cropped less. What do you think? Grt, Ingrid. ![GreatEgret](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/6/5/6586c228cc3cbb6cf6a6685e498383113470d76d.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Allen\_Sparks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_sparks/32/63507_2.png) [@Allen\_Sparks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Sparks)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 2:16pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-egret/49313/7 "2026-01-07T14:16:32Z")
Looks good Ingrid. From my experience, my photography club prefers tighter crops but your version gives me food for thought. Thank you much for the input! ---
**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:** [January 7, 2026, 3:41pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-egret/49313/8 "2026-01-07T15:41:36Z")
I’m thinking color, Allan. The eyes and beak get lost in the bird with the B&W conversion for me. Plus I tend to like to warm up the whites a bit which can’t be done in B&W. I do like the in-your-face crop, though I could see the one that @Ingrid_Vekemans did as well. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morrissey](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/peter_morrissey/32/683_2.png) [@Peter\_Morrissey](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Peter_Morrissey)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 8:58pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-egret/49313/9 "2026-01-07T20:58:53Z")
Hi Allen Great decision, going with the B&W. Peter ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 12:16am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-egret/49313/10 "2026-01-08T00:16:37Z")
Wonderful either way, for my taste. I like @Ingrid_Vekemans’ crop. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_Gavin](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jim\_Gavin](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Jim_Gavin)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 1:16am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-egret/49313/11 "2026-01-08T01:16:31Z")
While all three are excellent, and since your competition is B/W, how about @Ingrid_Vekemans crop but B/W? ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_H](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/ryan_h/32/60971_2.png) [@Ryan\_H](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ryan_H)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 10:11am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-egret/49313/12 "2026-01-09T10:11:49Z")
Allen I think that your B/W and Ingrid’s crop both have merits . There is a symmetry and balance to yours which may give a bit more impact for some viewers, but I’m leaning towards Ingrid’s crop. Good luck with the contest. ---
**Author:** ![tom.marin](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/tom.marin/32/72972_2.png) [@tom.marin](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/tom.marin)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2026, 1:38pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/great-egret/49313/13 "2026-01-12T13:38:39Z")
I love the wingspan – with the juxtaposition of the small head and dark eyes. makes for a great contrast. I like the B&W version best. Amazing that you could get the shot with the egret flying toward you!