Just Landed + Rework

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

Rework:

Just-Landed Rework
Just-Landed Rework2000×1449 897 KB

Original:

Just Landed.jpg
Just Landed.jpg2000×1472 928 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

This Grey Heron is seen here landing on a rock near me. Then I was spotted, and it quickly took off again. The breeze on the small river made interesting patterns with the reflected sky.

Specific Feedback

I find a normally-standing heron usually a bit dull, so I preferred this pose. Is it too ungainly?

Technical Details

D500 + 150-600mm (@350mm) 1/1000 f11 ISO 640

Tonalities in LR, Denoise, then Shadows and Highlights in PS, and a bit of canvas added along the bottom. Minor cropping, as the bird was close.

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1 Like
2

I like the pose/wing position and the overall composition. The rock surrounded by water makes for a nice element as do the patterns in the water. Good detail in the heron. Is there a blue cast on the back of the left wing or normal coloration?

1 Like
3

Nice pose and landing Position. I also see this the blue cast on the closer wing. That could be brightened up a bit and color corrected.

5

I like the pose, Mike. It implies a lot more action that the standing pose. I agree with @Sandy_Richards-Brown that the background is a bit overwhelming, but I can get around it. I hope you took a picture of the background without a bird-it has the makings of a fine abstract.

6

Hi Mike, I like the bird’s pose and the water does add a good bit of interest for me. Definitely agree with moving the bird to the left in the frame.

7

@Sandy_Richards-Brown @Allen_Sparks @Dennis_Plank @David_Schoen @Allen_Brooks : thanks all for your very useful comments. I lightened and color-corrected the wing, toned down the BG and moved the bird to the left. This last I had to do by adding canvas as the original was not cropped on the right side. Dennis, I didn’t take a shot of the water on its own - I should have thought of it! Rework up top.

8

Nice job on the rework, Mike.

1 Like