# Low Level Pass **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** birds\ **Created:** [August 8, 2025, 8:46pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/low-level-pass/47693 "2025-08-08T20:46:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gDan52](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/gdan52/32/50924_2.png) [@gDan52](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/gDan52)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2025, 8:46pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/low-level-pass/47693/1 "2025-08-08T20:46:04Z")
![Gary D Low Level Pass.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/a/0/a0bb0726192ee1dd87f504688f383155eaf33a05.jpeg) ![Low Level Pass RAW.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/e/d/ed173d3cff254e77962261fad447f8b0f66f791a.jpeg) RAW image > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description Continuing to explore Avian photography, I captured this white pelican skimming across a nearby pond on the Adams County Fairgrounds in Colorado. The time of day was sunrise; a thin sceen of a algae bloom was on the surface of the lake. This was the best of the images of several images, I thought. I am developing my panning skills with my 180-600 mm lens mounted on a monopod. ### Specific Feedback On a recent critique, I had feedback on my crop decision. I decided on a 1x1 crop, the pelican was well into the image, therefore I thought the image behind the pelican was not worth keeping. I had a bit of extra area on the left side of the image, I wish I had more; decided not to use generative fill to add more area in front of the pelican. ### Technical Details Camera Nikon Z8, Lens Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR Lens. 1/1600 sec f/6.6 @ 600mm. Mounted on a monopod. Edited in LR/PS/Topaz AI * * * ### Critique Template Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas. - Vision and Purpose: - Conceptual: - Emotional Impact and Mood: - Composition: - Balance and Visual Weight: - Depth and Dimension: - Color: - Lighting: - Processing: - Technical: ---
**Author:** ![David\_Schoen](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/david_schoen/32/368_2.png) [@David\_Schoen](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/David_Schoen)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2025, 9:48pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/low-level-pass/47693/2 "2025-08-08T21:48:07Z")
Nice sharpness and good reflection. A nice image overall however I could see some space all the way around the top image and at the bottom of the second image . It seems a little cramped to me. ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2025, 11:09pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/low-level-pass/47693/3 "2025-08-08T23:09:07Z")
A wonderful capture with a nice “pose” and good light, and a completely wonderful reflection. My taste would be for a little more detail in the darks but that’s just preference. (Or a slightly higher overall exposure if the highlight ahead of the wing could be tamed.) You have such nice motion here and plenty of canvas in the raw file – allowing more room for the bird to fly into is a common preference. Along with that, it often feels good to have about twice the room ahead of the bird as behind it, and if it were me, I would leave more room on both sides, but I do appreciate “portraits” that are more about showing the subject than its environment. The top and bottom feel nicely balanced if you don’t care to add canvas. Wonderful, whatever you decide! ---
**Author:** ![Glenys\_Passier](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/glenys_passier/32/33963_2.png) [@Glenys\_Passier](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Glenys_Passier)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2025, 11:32pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/low-level-pass/47693/4 "2025-08-08T23:32:48Z")
Beautiful image of a beautiful bird. He has given you that special pelican pose. The morning light is really lovely, but I might consider a raising of the shadows in the left wing. The feather curl there is truly amazing. I also agree that a little more room on the left side (even without adding canvas) would create another version of this beautiful image. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_Zablotny](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/jim_zablotny/32/3919_2.png) [@Jim\_Zablotny](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Jim_Zablotny)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2025, 1:53pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/low-level-pass/47693/6 "2025-08-09T13:53:47Z")
A very artistic presentation. I would try to recover some of the details in the dark blacks and tweak down the very bright highlight on the bird’s shoulder area. The crop is fine, but I believe that the suggested crops other viewers suggested may actually strengthen the comp. The pose with reflection is well worth getting up early for the capture. Well done…Jim ---
**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:** [August 10, 2025, 4:18pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/low-level-pass/47693/7 "2025-08-10T16:18:34Z")
Beautiful light and great wing position and reflections, Gary. Others have given you some excellent critiques. I had downloaded the original and cropped it similarly to the one @Sandy_Richards-Brown presented, so I won’t bother to put it here. I did take a little more off the right and top, but that’s pretty trivial. Square crops often work for static poses, but with all the implied forward motion of the pelican’s pose, I do prefer a rectangular crop. ---
**Author:** ![gDan52](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/gdan52/32/50924_2.png) [@gDan52](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/gDan52)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 4:24pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/low-level-pass/47693/8 "2025-08-10T16:24:56Z")
Thank you all for your comments, they are very much appreciated. After a similar comment on another post I was expecting the comments I got on the crop, duly noted. Ironically, I entered the same image to another photography group for critique and they were not so concerned about the square crop. Different strokes for different folks… ---
**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:** [August 13, 2025, 10:03am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/low-level-pass/47693/9 "2025-08-13T10:03:11Z")
Hi Gary, beautiful light and a fine in flight pose. Love the reflection. I agree with having more room on the left. A fine capture. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Duckworth](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/richard_duckworth/32/45518_2.png) [@Richard\_Duckworth](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Richard_Duckworth)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2025, 3:24pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/low-level-pass/47693/10 "2025-08-16T15:24:51Z")
Very nice shot. I like the great detail and wing position and the tighter crop gives the feeling of being at eye level. That said I agree a little more space in front of a bird in flight is a plus ---
**Author:** ![xavier1](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/xavier1/32/70972_2.png) [@xavier1](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/xavier1)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2025, 10:15am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/low-level-pass/47693/11 "2025-08-23T10:15:07Z")
Wonderful birds, in striking light. Well worth getting up early in the morning. I will keep this image in mind when I reach the Northern lakes of Greece in the beginning of 2026. They seem to have numbers of pelicans there, according to NPN magazine. Thank you for the inspiration. ---
**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:** [September 1, 2025, 9:15pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/low-level-pass/47693/12 "2025-09-01T21:15:05Z")
What a cool moment. Super shot. I like Sandy’s variation a lot too. Wall hanger!