Green Herons + rework

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

Green Heron 64.jpg
Green Heron 64.jpg1200Ă—1200 874 KB

Green Heron 63.jpg
Green Heron 63.jpg1200Ă—1200 703 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

Green Herons seen over the last week or so. First image is one catching a minnow in early morning light. Second image is another from the reflection sequence I posted earlier.

Specific Feedback

In the first image, I was thinking about taking out the log immediately behind the bird including the reflection. May take some doing to get that done. Any thoughts on that or anything else?

Technical Details

Canon R7, 400mm f4 DO IS II, 1.4x extender III, monopod
ISO 2500, f6.3, 1/2500s (first image)
ISO 800, f7.1, 1/3200s (second image)

Processed in DXO Pure Raw 3 and Photoshop.

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2

Super light in the first one, Allen. I always love the heron “velociraptor” poses that you caught in the second. Both images are excellent.

1 Like
3

well done collection of images of this green heron.
excellent lighting and body positions. Superb composition in both

1 Like
4

Another great series!
I especially like the first one - the light is magnificent, and the pose and prey make the shot for me.
It would be easy, if you wanted, to remove that top log with a little generative fill in PS. A “cleaner” image would result

Green Heron 64 copyAllan
Green Heron 64 copyAllan1200Ă—1200 382 KB

1 Like
5

The second image is excellent. The first image is a 15/10!! I usually have quibbles with shots in very warm light but I wouldn’t change a thing here. And @SandyR-B’s touchup took it to a 16!

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6

@SandyR-B @David_Schoen @Diane_Miller @Dennis_Plank

Thank you for the comments!
Sandy, thanks for the inspiration to rework this image. See my take below:

Green Heron 64
Green Heron 641200Ă—1200 816 KB

7

Great job on the rework, Allen.

1 Like
8

Wonderful!! The tools we have now are so cool!!

1 Like
9

Allen, that top picture is superb. Excellent lighting and a great pose by the heron.

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10

Allen, your re-take is Perfection!

1 Like
11

The light and the reflection are excellent in the first image Allen. I love the step and reflection in the second as well. You did a really good job with the repost. I think I would have just tried to take out the brown lump in the first one and left it at that.