New Hatch

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

SSR_7344 copy 3XNB.jpg
SSR_7344 copy 3XNB.jpg2020×1448 450 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

African Jacana with a new hatch of bugs
We came upon this pond filled with birds, who were feasting on a new hatch of some kind of tasty bug. There were so many wading and flying birds, it was difficult to isolate this one.

Specific Feedback

all comments and suggestions welcomed

Technical Details

Sony A1
200-600mm
F10
1400
Iso 320
Spot metering

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2

You managed to find some nice subjects during your travels. The overall comp is good. However, the OOF pile of vegetation does pull my away slightly. The subjects strong color pattern does manage to keep the eye from drifting too far. Well done…Jim

3

I agree with @Jim_Zablotny on this one Sandy. Nice colors, details, action, and composition. I wonder if you selected the upper BG, lightened it, and used a Gaussian blur if it would make the Jacana pop more?

4

Thanks, Jim and Ed = I’ll give those suggestions a shot a bit later,

5

Very nice, Sandy. Looks like bird heaven about then. I like the way the one darker string of beach wrack curves around. Most of it doesn’t bother me, though there are a few fine details like the streak of green above the tail and some kind of reflection in the water below the dark pile on the right that I’d probably try to clean up.

6

Hi Sandy
Great photograph, Did you have an 1.4 or 2x extender and the 200-600mm lens. I just wondering why f10 and is the 1400 (1/1400 shutter speed or 1400mm)?
Peter

7

Hi Peter - Im almost always set for flying birds (at least 1000 SS and usually 2500) and more DOF - F10 seems to be the sweet spot on this lens. I have both extenders, but dont use them very often. Sorry for any confusion!

8

Beautiful bird, well photographed. The colors and detail are great and I like the pose. I’d like to see more attention on the bird and less on the background. I wonder what you’d think of a square crop, removing the dark blob on the right. I think given the head position, there would be less concern about room to the right.

9

Hi Sanndy
Aside from the 1400 number, I thought a f7-8 would have made the background more, out of focus. ( I understand preset, I use a #2 all the time for birding)
Peter

1 Like
10

Nice image of an unusual situation. You caught the beak and the raised foot at just the right instant and the reflection is very nice. It needs a 1 deg CCW rotation to make the ripples level and the reflection line up correctly.

11

Hi Sandy, a very striking bird with a great pose. Those feet are something else. Agree with Diane’s rotation suggestion. Very nice exposure and color rendition.