# Razorbills **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** birds\ **Created:** [August 23, 2025, 2:46pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/razorbills/47887 "2025-08-23T14:46:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ryan\_H](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/ryan_h/32/60971_2.png) [@Ryan\_H](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ryan_H)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2025, 2:46pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/razorbills/47887/1 "2025-08-23T14:46:27Z")
![Razorbills.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/f/8/f8b75a5293a0853557bd67933288c767b9f1cee7.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Initial Reaction_ > > Please share your immediate response to the image before reading the photographer’s intent (obscured text below) or other comments. The photographer seeks a genuinely unbiased first impression. ### Questions to guide your feedback Any general comments please. ### Other Information _Please leave your feedback before viewing the blurred information below, once you have replied, click to reveal the text and see if your assessment aligns with the photographer. Remember, this if for their benefit to learn what your unbiased reaction is._ ### Image Description I recently came across these Razorbills on a small island off the east coast of Sweden. They were there in large numbers and they were very active, they are fun to watch. Getting a good shot of a landing was a matter of pre-framing and waiting. I was on a small boat so it was a bit of a job keeping everything steady. I like this one as the bird on the left is clearly watching. Their head feathers are VERY black and getting any detail was difficult. ### Technical Details Olympus OM-1 Leica 100-400 @ 400mm f6.3 1/1500 sec ISO 250 * * * ### Critique Template Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas. - Vision and Purpose: - Conceptual: - Emotional Impact and Mood: - Composition: - Balance and Visual Weight: - Depth and Dimension: - Color: - Lighting: - Processing: - Technical: ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2025, 3:10pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/razorbills/47887/2 "2025-08-23T15:10:57Z")
A very nice group image of these birds, Ryan. Like so many group photos, there are always a couple that don’t cooperate, but the landing bird and the one looking up at it, add a lot to the image. I’d be tempted to crop this to remove the three right hand birds and a lot of that blue on the right. I don’t know what the situation was in terms of being able to set up at this location, but it might have worked better if you could have gotten an all rock or all sky background (a step or two to the right or left might have done it, if there was room). And I just read your blurred text. The small boat definitely limited your options. ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2025, 1:27pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/razorbills/47887/3 "2025-08-24T13:27:30Z")
A wonderful capture! I think the group of randomly-occupied birds on the right adds to the story, and emphasizes the connection between the isolated one on the left and the landing bird. A couple of them seem to be noticing the bird on the left, which gives them some connection. The blacks look fine, as do the whites. Excellent image! ---
**Author:** ![Allen\_Sparks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_sparks/32/63507_2.png) [@Allen\_Sparks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Sparks)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2025, 9:21pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/razorbills/47887/4 "2025-08-25T21:21:15Z")
Hi Ryan, love the incoming pose of the top bird with the onlooker on the left. The other birds also help tell the story. ---
**Author:** ![Glenys\_Passier](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/glenys_passier/32/33963_2.png) [@Glenys\_Passier](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Glenys_Passier)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2025, 6:08am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/razorbills/47887/5 "2025-08-26T06:08:41Z")
This is a great image with a great story. I like how the birds are placed about the frame and they all seem connected in some way. The black and white looks good. I did think about the very dark bird, middle front. Maybe bring up the darks a little? But in doing that he might blend into the bird behind. I might be tempted to clean up the edges. Well done shooting from a boat! ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_H](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/ryan_h/32/60971_2.png) [@Ryan\_H](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ryan_H)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2025, 6:39am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/razorbills/47887/6 "2025-08-26T06:39:52Z")
Thanks for the comments. The tips and suggestions from the group are always appreciated.