# Looking into the sun **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** birds\ **Created:** [October 27, 2023, 9:50pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/looking-into-the-sun/37669 "2023-10-27T21:50:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [October 27, 2023, 9:50pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/looking-into-the-sun/37669/1 "2023-10-27T21:50:02Z")
![_S1A2505_DxO.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/5/b/5b875c967652d14e7e64606b008465886ea3ca96.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description This Blue was also photographed on the same day as the Egrets, I posted earlier. With the sun just over the horizon, I spent fair amount time playing around with the exposure compensation on this shot. Thank you for stopping by. Peter ### Specific Feedback any ### Technical Details Canon R5, 1.4ext, f8, 508mm, -1.7EV, 1/1600, ISO 800 and cropped by 60% in DXO PhotoLab 7. I also used local brushes on the Blue to increase the micro-contrast and saturation, after I had lower the overall saturation. ---
**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:** [October 27, 2023, 9:52pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/looking-into-the-sun/37669/2 "2023-10-27T21:52:35Z")
This is really cool with the far background blacked out and the grasses behind the heron still in good focus. I’m surprised you managed to get that depth even at f/8. Excellent image. ---
**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:** [October 27, 2023, 10:00pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/looking-into-the-sun/37669/3 "2023-10-27T22:00:39Z")
Hi Dennis Thank you for the comments. When I left Rocky Heck State Park, I really had know idea what that photograph was going to look like, the sun was hammering the Blue. Peter ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Freeman](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/shirley_freeman/32/11361_2.png) [@Shirley\_Freeman](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Shirley_Freeman)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 10:27pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/looking-into-the-sun/37669/4 "2023-10-27T22:27:02Z")
Very cool image, Peter. I’m also enjoying the reflections of the grasses. Sweet light. ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Douglass](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dave_douglass/32/5332_2.png) [@Dave\_Douglass](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dave_Douglass)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2023, 3:16am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/looking-into-the-sun/37669/5 "2023-10-29T03:16:04Z")
What a spectacular capture. Subject/lighting/environment/dark BG. Just wow! ---
**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:** [October 29, 2023, 7:57am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/looking-into-the-sun/37669/6 "2023-10-29T07:57:44Z")
Hi Peter, nice catch with the grasses providing a fine backdrop. The bird looking into the light is a nice effect. ---
**Author:** ![Kurt\_Bowman](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/kurt_bowman/32/497_2.png) [@Kurt\_Bowman](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Kurt_Bowman)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2023, 5:43pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/looking-into-the-sun/37669/7 "2023-10-29T17:43:02Z")
Nice side lit shot Peter! I do find the shadows a bit heavy though. I might be tempted to selectively bring those up a bit on the bird only. ---
**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:** [October 29, 2023, 10:31pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/looking-into-the-sun/37669/8 "2023-10-29T22:31:04Z")
Lovely composition. You caught some nice light on the grass and it works well with the black background. Nice pose for the heron. Could see playing around with the showows on the heron, but really nice as is. ---
**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:** [October 30, 2023, 4:31pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/looking-into-the-sun/37669/9 "2023-10-30T16:31:21Z")
Hi Shirley,Dave, Allen Sparks, Kurt & Allen Brooks Thank you for your kind words. Peter