Single Light Portrait

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
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20240909_070729_Z815855.jpg
20240909_070729_Z815855.jpg1586×2048 639 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

Early morning image of a GBH on a stump. I really like the pose and position of the bird…The sun was just peaking over the hill and the background was dark. I darkened it more to set off the bird and remove distractions…Also, this just called for B&W in my opinion…

Specific Feedback

So, I like this image, but not sure what others will think. It’s certainly more processed than most of my images. Let me know what you think good or bad. I did purposely darken the background. Too much?

Technical Details

Nikon Z 8, 600mm, 1/800 sec @ f/6,3, ISO 2000 -2/3 Exposure Adjustment

Critique Template

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1 Like
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Hi David, I really like this. The different tones of the B&W on the heron show quite well give us a feel for the texture of the bird. I also like the single leg pose and being able to see the pulled up foot. The dark BG works well IMO and the angle of light contributes and is well handled. Being able to see a bit of the stump is a plus. Well done.

1 Like
3

Excellent, David. The lighting is wonderful and your caught a very nice pose. I like your treatment of the background and the perch.

4

Love this! Wonderful portrait. The B&W is very compelling.
Great detail, pose, and comp. The light is excellent, and the bit of post is perfect.
Well done!!

5

This looks great to me David. Good choice on the BW treatment and darkening the BG. Love the dark stump and the detail that comes out so nicely on the GBH. Nice job with Post.

6

Fantastic!! B/W was a great idea here and you pulled it off with wonderful tonal structure and sharpness!! The pose is very compelling and the crop suits me perfectly! Needs to be seen large to be appreciated, and it would make a fine print! 11/10!!

1 Like
7

The BW treatment works very well and the scruffy features of the heron are brought up nicely with the lighting and shadows. Darkening the BG strengthens the comp and I think that anything less would take away from the image. No nits from me and I like the comp as presented…Jim

8

@Allen_Sparks, @Dennis_Plank, @SandyR-B, @Ed_Williams, @Diane_Miller, and @Jim_Zablotny thank you all for the kind comments. I really appreciate them and am glad you like the image. I may have to veer off of the documentary style of bird photography and into a more creative direction.

Cheers,
David

9

Hi David
This is a classic photograph and my vote for photograph of the week.
Great Work.
Peter

10

Wow, thank you, Peter.

Cheers,
David

11

Hi David. I really like this. The black and white treatment was an excellent choice to present the heron. The detail and pose are great. This might be one to consider submitting to the OBA photo of the month contest. I feel too many of the submissions are documentary, with the need for better composition and processing, and a more artistic image might do well.

12

Thanks Allen, this was taken at Fernhill. I checked into the OBA photo contest…this might be a bit too processed for their contest…we’ll see…

Cheers,
David

13

one of my favorite black and white you have done. The detail is outstanding as is the pose and composition.nice job

14

Can’t think of anything other than has already been written, except, awesome image.

15

@David_Schoen and @Jim_Gavin thank you for the kind comments. I really appreciate them.

Cheers,
David