# Still life in the fog. #2 **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** editors-pick, birds\ **Created:** [September 12, 2026, 7:50pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/still-life-in-the-fog-2/52250 "2026-09-12T19:50:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morrissey](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/peter_morrissey/32/683_2.png) [@Peter\_Morrissey](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Peter_Morrissey)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2026, 7:50pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/still-life-in-the-fog-2/52250/1 "2026-09-12T19:50:32Z")
![Original - DSC_7023_DxO.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/4/1/41956aad179dde10667e1f1e9aeb94996f838ff6.jpeg) **Critique Style:** Standard 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 I came across this Sandhill Crane just as we were leaving the park. The weather had not changed, so this photograph has a B&W background and soft coloring on the Crane. Thank you for stopping by. Peter ### Feedback Requested any ### Technical Details Z8, Nikon 180-600mm & 1.4ext, f8.5, -.7EV, 620mm, 1/1600, ISO 4000 and cropped and processed in DXO PhotoLab 9. ---
**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:** [September 12, 2026, 9:01pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/still-life-in-the-fog-2/52250/2 "2026-09-12T21:01:29Z")
This is really sweet, Peter. The b^&W background minimizes distractions and the crane itself is gorgeous. The only thing I might do is add a bit of light to the face. I don’t know if DxO has the same capability, but we had a presentation in our camera club a year or so ago and one of the tricks we were shown was using an object or subject selection tool to select the subject and intersecting that selection with a radial gradient. It’s a great method of adding a bit of subtle light to the face of a bird or other critter. If desired, you can also warm it up just a trifle with the same selection. ---
**Author:** ![Allen\_Brooks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_brooks/32/390_2.png) [@Allen\_Brooks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Brooks)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2026, 10:24pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/still-life-in-the-fog-2/52250/3 "2026-09-12T22:24:37Z")
Hi Peter, really nice look at the crane and I like the black and white background-lets the crane pop. I took the liberty of playing with this in PS. I gave it a slight clockwise rotation and blurred the background some. As Dennis suggested, I warmed the crane up in PS as well as using a PS trick to add some light to the crane. I just warmed up the darker feathers to keep the cool/warm contrast present. Processing example based on the original image: ![processing example](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/d/b/dbaa25a439e409f186fb0d8e0af7db5246137e4d.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_Friel](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mike_friel/32/28003_2.png) [@Mike\_Friel](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mike_Friel)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2026, 10:48pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/still-life-in-the-fog-2/52250/4 "2026-09-12T22:48:14Z")
Peter, I like this even more than your pelican. Again the B and W background adds extra zip. So does the relaxed one-legged pose; but still the eye is open and the head turn just right. I like what Allen did to add a bit more light and warmth. I love Sandhill Cranes, and this shows one off beautifully - thank you! ---
**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:** [September 13, 2026, 11:21pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/still-life-in-the-fog-2/52250/5 "2026-09-13T23:21:50Z")
Really nice Peter. I like the one legged pose and the parallel head turn to us. The black and white treatment works well and brings a great mood to the image. I like what Allen B did to add just a little more pop. Well done. ---
**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:** [September 14, 2026, 2:17am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/still-life-in-the-fog-2/52250/6 "2026-09-14T02:17:06Z")
Intriguing mood with selective use of black and white and interesting pose of the bird. ---
**Author:** ![Huw\_Thomas](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/huw_thomas/32/87850_2.png) [@Huw\_Thomas](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Huw_Thomas)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 1:15pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/still-life-in-the-fog-2/52250/7 "2026-09-14T13:15:00Z")
Really nice image Peter - the mono background helps isolate the crane which is expertly rendered. Well done on the EP too Regards Huw ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morrissey](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/peter_morrissey/32/683_2.png) [@Peter\_Morrissey](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Peter_Morrissey)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 8:03pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/still-life-in-the-fog-2/52250/8 "2026-09-14T20:03:58Z")
Hi Dennis, Allen Brooks, Mike, Allen Sparks & Huw Thank you for the comments and the extra work Allen put into this photograph. Here is a repost of the photograph. I left it a little softer than Allen’s post, Peter ![DSC_7023_DxO-2](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/2/0/209a752763b26a1d7b9a6ecc895b566169684d33.jpeg) ---
**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:** [September 14, 2026, 10:39pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/still-life-in-the-fog-2/52250/9 "2026-09-14T22:39:59Z")
Nice job on the repost, Peter. You might want to note that a recent change to the site is the addition of a button at the top of your original post that you can click on to upload a revised version. It puts it on the top, labels it as by revision number and gives you a blank to tell what you changed. Since it becomes part of the original post it’s easy for people to toggle back and forth between revisions. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morrissey](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/peter_morrissey/32/683_2.png) [@Peter\_Morrissey](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Peter_Morrissey)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2026, 5:02pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/still-life-in-the-fog-2/52250/10 "2026-09-16T17:02:38Z")
Hi Dennis Thank you for the information. Peter ---
**Author:** ![Kris\_Smith](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/kris_smith/32/59826_2.png) [@Kris\_Smith](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Kris_Smith)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2026, 10:50pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/still-life-in-the-fog-2/52250/11 "2026-09-16T22:50:28Z")
Oh man…a Sandy. Just a few hours ago I wrangled one out of a ditch after it had been hit by a car. It couldn’t walk and I brought it to the wildlife rehab hospital I volunteer for as a driver (they called me after it had been reported to them). They are really big close up and feisty even if they can’t use their legs. No matter what happens, it will be better than spending its last hours there alone and afraid. Makes me even more appreciative of this photo of a living and hopefully thriving bird. The fog and the background are so representative of their coloration. A touching portrait on a day that I really needed to see this. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_Zablotny](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/jim_zablotny/32/3919_2.png) [@Jim\_Zablotny](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Jim_Zablotny)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2026, 2:17pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/still-life-in-the-fog-2/52250/12 "2026-09-18T14:17:52Z")
Congrats on the EP. I love the repost and the image smatters of cool, morning light. Awesome capture…Jim ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morrissey](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/peter_morrissey/32/683_2.png) [@Peter\_Morrissey](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Peter_Morrissey)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2026, 2:57pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/still-life-in-the-fog-2/52250/13 "2026-09-18T14:57:21Z")
Hi Kristen & Jim Thank you for your comments. Peter