The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
This week’s webinar prompted me to look at my puffin pictures again. I took these in 2022 during a trip to Iceland. On both my visits to Bakkagerdi and the puffin colony there, the sky was overcast and my time was limited by the patience of my fellow travellers… My ‘project’ was to capture a frontal view of a flying puffin, but their speed (up to 60mph) and my ability limited my ambitions. I thus concentrated on classical close by portraits and side views of flying puffins.
Specific Feedback
The portrait is quite evident to make, but it is always a pleasure to show off these beautiful birds, even in BW. The BIF pictures are made with different shutter speeds and backgrounds. All comments and certainly advices are welcome. Also locations to find puffins without the need to fly or to board long cruises from Belgium.
Technical Details
Canon Canon EOS R6, RF 800 mm f/11 (prime lens)
Picture 1: 1/2000, 800 ISO
Picture 2: 1/400, 3200 ISO
Picture 3: 1/2000, 3200 ISO
Picture 4: 1/400, 3200 ISO
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Xavier, I particularly like the second and third pics. They are strong images of this beautiful bird. In the third one (BIF) the sea looks great adding both a great colour and a strong sense of movement.
To be honest I’m not too sure about number 1 the birds seem a bit lost in the frame to me.
No need to go to Iceland again, jump on the Eurostar, look at Skomer Island off the coast of South Wales or Bempton Cliffs on the east coast of England. They are seasonal so planning is essential.
(Looking at your pictures has prompted me to look at some shots of Razorbills that I took recently)
These are all very well done, Xavier. I particularly like the B&W portrait as people always like to show off that gaudy bill. I agree with Ryan about the first image. I don’t think they get really lost, but the image feels unbalanced with all the weight on the right. You might look at a squarish crop with a bit more taken off the top to give the illusion that they have more room to fly into at the bottom. It’s definitely an image worth playing with to get a composition that really works with that great angle the puffins are flying at.
Nice series Xavier, a challenging subject that you rendered quite well. I think my fave is image #3 with the background that has an abstract feel but provides a great backdrop for the sharp puffin in flight. The black and white portrait is very nice with fine tonalities. The first image is also dynamic and I agree with taking some space off from the left. Well done.
