Preening Egret

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

Critique Repost 121724-1.jpg
Critique Repost 121724-1.jpg1599Ă—2000 2.01 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

An old image from 2004 taken with a Canon 10D. The overcast light help preserve detail in the egret, at least as much as the camera was capable of capturing. The 10.3 MP sensor limits how much cropping can be done with the files it produces.

Specific Feedback

This image is nearly full frame, with just a small crop off the top. It’s certainly more of an environmental image for the Avian category, but I think the inclusion of the entire perch adds enough interest to justify keeping it in the frame and preserving as much of the file as possible.

Thoughts?

Technical Details

Connetquot River State Park Preserve
Canon 10D
EF 300/4L
1/250 @ f4, ISO 400

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2

I like the preening posture and there’s good feather detail. I agree it is an interesting perch with good detail, though I’d be tempted to clone out the branch in the ULC. I like the environmental aspect as well. And thanks for creating NPN; I’ve enjoyed the journey and my growth as a photographer interacting with this fine community. Be well.

3

I like the setting, Jim, and I see no reason to crop further, though the stray twig along the lower left edge could go one way or another. I’d be tempted to select the egret’s body and bring the darker tones up a fair amount as the egret has more of gray than white look on my monitor.

1 Like
4

Jim, the composition is wonderful. I would try @Dennis_Plank suggestion on the color there a bit. The image is excellent and a slight toning change on the egret might work nicely.

5

Thanks for the feedback!

Here it is with the shadows boosted on just the egret;

Critique Repost 122124-1 (1 of 1)
Critique Repost 122124-1 (1 of 1)1599Ă—2000 2.01 MB

1 Like
6

I like the repost, Jim. Nicely done.

1 Like
7

Allen, I am glad to hear that you consider your time here well spent! It has always been a “quality over quantity” approach, and David & Jennifer have made it even more so. I too am enjoying my time here as a member - reaping the benefits of NPN without having to be in charge of the place gives me new perspective.

Old friends and new, NPN coninues to rock!

2 Likes
8

Jim, the repost is much cleaner to my eyes… :cowboy_hat_face:

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9

Hi Jim, I like the whites in the repost and the preening pose is nice. Another thanks for creating NPN - a great place for us photographers!

2 Likes
10

You have certainly caught the egret preening very well!

I do agree that the LUC branch is a bit distracting. But even more is the branch nearest to its head - something out of your control unfortunately - but if you are not opposed to Generative AI…