The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Yesterday when I put the kayak in the water I heard a Loon calling nearby. Weird. I’d never found them this far up river before, smack in the heart of a Bald Eagle territory (the nest is really close by). No wonder they were calling - there was a yearling and an adult circling around. Really upsetting and stressful for the parents so when I cruised by them, I didn’t get close and I didn’t stay long. But the opportunity to see a pair and a chick was too much to pass by and so I got a few shots, but this one was the best.
It is cropped, but I left quite a lot of environment in because I think it helps tell the story of the big wide world and all the parents have to be watchful of in it. They also have to be wary of snapping turtles which will happily take a chick from underwater. With Loon populations on the decline in northern Wisconsin, I wish these two all the luck in the world that they can raise their little one to adulthood.
Specific Feedback
I left the top of the grass in because I like the shape and how it is similar to the grouping of birds. The haze is smoke from Canada that descended in the afternoon - too much? I added some contrast, but could go for more if it would benefit the photo. I also raised the exposure and shadows on the birds - enough? Too much? They are black after all.
Lr for a crop and to massage the tonalities so it wasn’t too hazy, but had some snap and natural colors - masking and global adjustments. Also used a little of the Lens Blur feature to soften the grass just a little bit.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Wonderful!! The parents look very watchful and the chick is beyond cute and sweet! I wonder if it is the last of a larger brood? Life is tough for young birds.
I like the environmental framing but wonder about toning down (darkening) the grasses and the FG ripples. It looks like you have the IQ to have a twofer with a frame-filling portrait of the family.
Excellent, Kris. I really like the parents looking both ways and the youngster tucked in with them. Exposure looks fine to me and the smoke haze isn’t apparent to my eyes. When I went to the full view it chopped the tops of most of the grass off and part of the foreground water and looked very good that way as well with the loons quite a bit larger in the frame-you might give it a look as an alternate.
Kris, We are both from loon county and know that effective images of loons are a real treasure . What a wonderful image. I ditto @Dennis_Plank about the composition of the adult loons and chick.
At first, I thought the bright grasses might need to be toned down, but after really seeing the image, I realize that the almost neon brightness becomes a most effective spotlight for the loons and shows them off beautifully. Is this the BWCA or a lake in northern Wisconsin. Are you in a kayak waiting for the perfect moment to shoot. I appreciate this showstopper.
Thanks @Dennis_Plank, @Diane_Miller, @Peter_Morrissey & @Larry_Greenbaum - the varying head positions is what made me choose this shot from the ones that I got. I messed with cropping closer and it just doesn’t have the fine detail for it so I have left the sizing the way it is, but messed with the grasses and the water more in this photo from a couple seconds later -
The chick was probably a solo or maybe had a sibling, but loons don’t have big clutches and that’s part of why every baby is so important. If it ever stops being cold and rainy I’ll check back there. I’ve never been up to the Boundary Waters, but where I live has plenty of choice even if it isn’t so wild.
Hi Kris, a fine pair of images showing off this family. I’m fine with the crop and the brightness of the grasses. I downloaded the first image and checked the whites on the back of the birds as they seem overly bright. I think the brightness could be taken down some but that is a minor nit. Very nice images.
Thanks @Allen_Sparks - those whites are a bear aren’t they? I did mess with them and thought bringing them down more looked too gray, but maybe a little tweak is still needed.
This one is great too! I keep waiting for better dynamic range from our sensors. Have you tried a linear profile on these? It’s usually good for another stop or so of taming whites.
It’s nice to see the loons in breeding plumage and with a youngster. You’ve handled the whites better than I do, Kris. I usually totally blow out the chest. I think I prefer the original as the different poses gives a more dynamic feel. I like the inclusion of the environment and the low angle the kayak affords you.
Well color me dumb. I completely forgot about the Linear Profile, @Diane_Miller. So I used that as the basis for this next shot with dad sounding a warning -
Thanks @Allen_Brooks - whites with these guys are so tough given that the deepest black is right next to them. The first is my favorite of the series, but any shot of a Loon is wonderful and I’m so happy and privileged to have them with me for the summer almost anywhere I kayak.
What a series. To see loons I need to get way up north from Belgium. So thank you very much for this nice series. Also showing new pictures along the line is a nice touch. It makes for even more interesting reading. Please, let us see how the chick grows up. Very nice job. Xavier
