The photographer has shared comprehensive information about their intent and creative vision for this image. Please examine the details and offer feedback on how they can most effectively realize their vision.
Self Critique
I liked the overall scene and the great blue heron with an open mouth was the icing on the cake for me.
Crop too wide ?
Creative direction
I wanted to capture the look as the sun popped out from behind a cloud at dawn on the river. It was very bright and I tried to capture that in my image.
I initially just enjoyed watching it and the GBH in the river. Glad I decided to shoot a few frames to capture an artsy look.
Specific Feedback
Overall framing thoughts please.
Technical Details
Nikon Z8 180-600. ISO 500, F6,3 at 1/4000.
Description
Look closely and you can see the GBH is standing on a rock waiting to grab a fish during the annual shad run. Although my focus was photographing birds fishing in the river I always look for something a bit different too.
Bird interaction including fighting is hard to see and a challenge to photograph . Spending lots of time at the river allows you to get something different like this image. Pays to get up early and be in place before dawn.
That’s beautiful yellow light! I think the almost silhoutte works very well, and I like the framing the tree branch at the top provides. I do feel the open space to the right is large, and would consider cropping some (maybe even to a square?). Interestingly, if the bird were facing right I don’t think I’d mind the open space as much??
This is a great bird photo too, so I’m adding the avian tag so more people can see and comment.
Great photo! I love the lighting. The silhouette and the early morning mist really tell a great story. I agree maybe a little less room on the right hand side.
Hi Andrew,
The warm backlight in this scene is exquisite and does a beautiful job of creating a near silhouette of the heron. I also think the mist rising from the water is a real plus here and creates a beautiful ephemeral mood to the image that I find very soothing. I too like the idea of a crop from the right side as suggested by @John_Williams and @timothy3. Beautifully done.
Hi Andrew, beautiful play of light in this image. Great eye. Processing seem spot on. I think I would have two versions of this image. I could see a bit of a crop from the right but I also love seeing the expanse of water and that wonderful light playing off the upper leaves. A winner either way IMO.
The light is beautiful, the mist is very well done, and I love the silhouettes. I also agree with the others about cropping. The image feels unbalanced. All the action is on the left, and the right side doesn’t add anything new to the story. If only the heron were a better model and turned to the right instead of the left!
