The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Another old one from 2019. I’ve been browsing this week and saw this one that caught my attention.
Specific Feedback
I know it’s unconventional to have the foreground bird completely out of focus, but in this case, the apparent intensity of the drake coming in behind her as if in chase (I think they were both just coming in for a landing), seemed to tell a story. I also liked the second drake kind of giving the duck the eye on the side. Does this work for anyone other than me?
Technical Details
Canon 7DII, Sigma 150-600 contemporary @ 435 mm, f/8, 1/1600, iso 800. Processed in LR & PS CC. Cropped to 2422x1761. Taken March 5th, 2019 at the ponds at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Gardens in Portland, OR. The ducks are very used to humans who feed them and there are a few places to get down flat at almost water level.
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Dennis:
Definitely an interesting photograph. I actually find the out of focus bird to be somewhat distracting because it takes up so much of a frame. I don’t know if there’s a way to select the in focus, birds, and blur the background a little more. Might be worth a try though.
The drakes are so colorful and sharp that’s where the eye goes, so I don’t mind the OOF female. I guess it’s an illusion, but my initial thought was that the drake was in front of the female. Also, the female’s left wing makes me think of a moose’s antler. Nice eye level capture of a flying wood duck, Dennis.
Dennis, I agree with Allen that the foreground bird is rather dominant in the frame, but the sharp capture of the following bird with such a great head on perspective makes it all worth while.
(I also see the antlers)
Different and cool! A fun behavioral shot and the humor or anthropomorphism makes the OOF bird serve a purpose, and the fact that is is this far OOF adds a dynamic quality. No nits or suggestions!
HI Dennis, yes this is different for sure. I first focus on the male in flight and the oof female is rather a novelty of this shot. Fun image and I like the male in flight in and of itself.
Dennis, this is a very cool (and nicely different) view. However, there’s an optical discrepancy. You say that the oof female was in front, yet I see the sharp (or sharper) tips of both of his wings infront of the oof female. I assume that you made some adjustments in processing. I do get a kick out of the upper male’s expression…looks very upset…
Hi Dennis
The two in focus, Drakes, have great coloring and detail, but the out-of-focus female looks like she is photo-bombing you. ( Why did you focus on me?)
Peter
