Critique Style: Standard
The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.
Feedback Focus: Artistic + Technical
About This Image
I saw this heron hunting at the neighborhood lake this morning. He really was stretching out there for the small minnows he caught.
Feedback Requested
Any thoughts on cropping or branch removal? I did not remove any branches in these images. I thought they kind of fit the scene.
Technical Details
Image 1
Camera: Canon EOS R7
Lens: RF200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM
Focal length: 800mm
Shutter speed: 1/4000s
Aperture: f/9
ISO: 1600
Image 2
Camera: Canon EOS R7
Lens: RF200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM
Focal length: 637mm
Shutter speed: 1/4000s
Aperture: f/9
ISO: 1600
1 Like
Allen,
Fantastic image of the Heron “stretching out” - Never thought I would think of this correlation, but kinda like how a snake coils up before striking, but ends up fully stretched out on the strike.
Great colors, processing. I like the ripple reflections too. As far as the branches, they don’t interfere with the story, so I think they’re good. If there was one to clone out, it would be the long one above the Heron… but then that could be the scenerio where “one thing leads to another…” and you might not want to keep cloning.
Excellent capture!
1 Like
That’s quite a stretch, Allen! I’ve seen them stretch out but never this much. These are enjoyable critters to watch.
I like both images. With regard to the first one, the fact that the end of the beak isn’t visible bothers me a little. The heron’s lines all come to a point except that I can’t see the point.
That issue isn’t present in the second image. Is the bright spot at the end of the beak a minnow?
The branches didn’t bother me but as I look at them, I’d be tempted to zap the partial branches above the heron.
Fine work.
1 Like
An awesome catch on the stretch, Allen. Nothing you could do about it, but I do wish the water weren’t reflecting tones so close to that of the heron so it would pop a bit more. However, that’s a very small nit.
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@Lon_Overacker @Don_Peters @Dennis_Plank
Thank you for the comments!
Yes, that is a tiny minnow in the second image.
And yes the partial branches above and near the heron should probably go.
Excellent capture, Allen. The two combined tell a nice story. The detail and color look spot on. I prefer the pose of the second image and the minnow is a nice addition. Nice environmental shot, though I’d be tempted to clone the out the branch over the heron.
1 Like
Both images are spot on @Allen_Sparks . Wonderful colours and pose. Composition is nice.
I prefer the pose of second image with the bill lshowing completely. I know the minnow was there and tells an important part of the story, but I think I would consider removing him.
I would also consider losing the part twigs above the bird…and maybe toning down the stick on the right edge?
1 Like
Hi Allen
I am going with the first post; I love the neck stretched out. Both photographs have a nice low angle and good eye contact, with feather detail.
Peter
1 Like
