The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
This little backwater of the Somo River is turtle heaven. I’ve never found such a concentration of Painted Turtles in any waterway I paddle, so spending time here usually results in a few good photos. It’s the best when they stretch and try to catch all the sunlight they can - those feet! This one (probably a male judging by the length of the claws) is only about 6 inches long and didn’t spook when I came upon him in the kayak. I didn’t get too close, but was able to line up along his side. They scramble up on basically anything and this stump was a perfect single serve size.
Specific Feedback
Direct sun. The bane of our existence, but I don’t kayak when it rains or is very cloudy since it usually does rain. So I try my best with polarizer and processing to reduce the harshness and contrast. How does it look? It was a fairly bright, sunny day which motivates this behavior and I want to convey that, but not make you want to gouge your eyes out.
Technical Details
Handheld in the kayak as usual - Freewell CPL, but maybe not on full
Lr for initial work to even out the intense contrast and remove some bright highlights that were distracting (but not all of them). Then into Topaz Sharpen AI Standalone. Back in Lr added some texture and a few masks to bring our turtle to life a little and reduce the brightness of the bg. Horizontal flip.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Turtles are just a trip! Love them, big or small. This little fellow certainly was brave and cooperative, as you came up. Perspective is hard to gauge (this could be a 18-24 inch turtle) so I’m glad you provided his tiny size.
Wonderful pose, and the stump and greenery sets him off well.
That yellow blob above his hind foot distracts me a bit, and I wonder if a small amount of shadow control of the stump to lighten it and increase detail would work.
Kris, I just love the turtle perch here. The greenery growing from the little stump is great. The turtle’s pose is also great. It is interesting that this was bright sunlight as the little light spots almost look like raindrops. You did a great job controlling the bright light and getting nice color and detail in the turtle and foliage especially. I think it would help just a bit to get rid of, or at least tone down that yellow spot Sandy points out.
Wonderful find and capture! Needs to be seen big – super detail and THOSE FEET!! And the bouqet is a very nice touch. But how the hell did it GET UP THERE?
I love the detail in him and the nice soft blurred out background. I agree with others on the bright spot behind his foot. I also find my eye drawn to the dark area on the bottom right, only because it is so different from the rest of the background. I love his pose too … so clearly looks to be enjoying the sun.
thanks @SandyR-B, @Ed_Williams, @Diane_Miller & @elizabeth - turtles are such wonderful creatures - so fun and engaging. You wouldn’t believe the places I’ve found them in, Diane. Those claws can really grip and they seem to have a determination to get into places you wouldn’t think they can go. I’ll see if I can get myself some time to put together a video with stills to showcase all their delightful weirdness.
Tried to get rid of the orange blob in Lightroom, but the results were pretty dismal so I went to Photoshop and just used the Remove brush. Worked pretty good. Thoughts?
Kristen: very nice to see the little critters getting their due. My only suggestion would be to add a gradient to the upper portion of the photos. Would be interesting to see it climb up on that stump given its verticality.
This is a wonderful image of him basking in the sun in all his glory! We have a painted turtle in our koi pond, about 8 years old now, and I love her. She comes out to sun daily and in the winter hunkers down in the pond. Turtles are so amazing, how they survive. I love your photo and it feels peaceful and as if he is saying “I’m happy to be alive!”
Thanks @Judi_Hastings - they are remarkably animated for reptiles, almost expressive and I love spending time with them. So cool you have one in your pond. We have them in the river in the backyard, but I only occasionally see their heads pop up as they swim by.
