The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.
Feedback Focus: Artistic / Expressive
About This Image
From the mother ship, taking a Zodiac around Antarctica, we saw these penguins on this iceberg looking to dive, but cautiously watching for leopard seals. I loved the scenery so wanted to capture that plus the penguins. Our driver kept going, so there wasn’t a chance to capture more. I used F/18 (my usual landscape is f/11 or F12) because it was bright out, and I also wanted the entire scene to be in focus. I had to use a high shutter speed because we were moving. Honestly, I didn’t have time to try any different settings as we came around the corner upon this scene and quickly moved on (driver was bored!)
Feedback Requested
I prefer the one with scenery, but do others prefer the cropped version? Is snow white on your monitors? (I am still getting comfortable with my new monitor.) Is the overall image impactful or fun?
I like the cropped images, but Hew’s crop gives the birds more looking forward room. The snow looks good on my monitor. The full frame image is nice, as well for a more general view of the surroundings.
Oh, I would’ve told the driver to stop for a minute or two, or circle back.
Beautiful images, Joyce. I’d love to see more from “The Ice”!
-P
Joyce: I won’t pick a nit on either of these as I think both are fantastic captures of a unique experience in a place 99.9% of us will never see in person. You handled the limitations extremely well IMO and like @Preston_Birdwell I hope you have many more to come..=))>
Fantastic photograph. Funny how locals or guides don’t stop for such scenes. I guess that’s why I like photo tours or workshops, I pay more for the right to say “stop” and even, “can you back up 30 feet?!
FWIW, I like seeing the water, so the wider view or a crop that keeps a decent amount of water in the frame feels more appropriate for the subject,
You did great. Its an excellent shot. I vote for the scenery. And I am glad you got everything in focus. I have a similar shot in mind on my bucket list. LOL.
The only thing I would try is to bring down the highlights a bit, but considering the landscape that does not take away from the shot. Congrats.
What a wonderful opportunity! You did very well for a drive-by shooting! The whites might be brought down just a bit, and the histogram is a better judge than a monitor. I prefer seeing the full frame, as the water is a big part of the story. Hope we get to see more!!
I like seeing where animals live, so I prefer the top image. It’s amazing how different the second image looks with less landscape! They’re both great. The snow looks great on my iPhone.
Oh! These are wonderful Joyce. I love the first one with the landscape giving the birds a place. I like how they really are surveying the water. Your colours are good. It looks cold!
I think you did great grabbing this image in spite of being in a Zodiac, which is especially challenging. I really like that you captured a sense of movement with the penguin in the rear with its foot in the air and all four having a different pose/look. The wider comp with the water as @Marylynne_Diggs pointed out, works better as more environmental and tells a better story by showing where they are heading. The drop off off the ice adds some drama to the scene.
I think if you wanted more of a “group portrait” look, which would work great for this image, I would crop tight to the penguins.
You have some great options with this image which is the bounty of your willingness to attempt an image in less than ideal conditions!
Fantastic, Joyce. Excellent look at the penguins and the whites look good. I like the first image for the greater sense of environment with the distant mountains, the water and the shelf on the iceberg, and the anticipation of the action to come.
Excellent job, Joyce and another vote for the looser composition. @Huw_Thomas provided a reasonable compromise as well,but I would definitely include the water as it’s such an important feature of the image.
The original for me too, Joyce. I like how the birds are all separated, we see a clear eye on each - and I love that ice bridge which they can use if they think the water is too cold!
