# Stilts **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** birds\ **Created:** [January 5, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/stilts/49294 "2026-01-05T17:39:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Balan\_Vinod](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/e68b1a/32.png) [@Balan\_Vinod](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Balan_Vinod)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/stilts/49294/1 "2026-01-05T17:39:15Z")
![_I1A1701.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/d/3/d3666d0b33277c83a426dad9ad828511841f4863.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description Have moved over to a R7 😉 With the 6d ii still with me May not be the bird pictures a new birder will shoot My abstract nerve kicks in some times.. Reflection of far off buildings o the lake R7, 400mm, f13, 1/60 1000 ISO. You may talk of the mild shake , but yes …am on " know my camera" situation, with loads of functions that does things by itself. Happy New Year to all NPN members Balan Vinod ### Specific Feedback Any feedback is welcome ### Technical Details R7, 400mm, f13, 1/60 1000 ISO. * * * ### 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:** ![Dick\_Knudson](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dick_knudson/32/60742_2.png) [@Dick\_Knudson](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dick_Knudson)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 7:12pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/stilts/49294/2 "2026-01-05T19:12:44Z")
This resonates with me as it is at once absolutely realistic and strongly abstract. I enjoy how the red legs quietly jump out of the image. The water around the flock frames it nicely. The shimmering vertical water waves fill things nicely . With a bit of imagination, it is not just a photo of birds, but also of a bunch of dancers getting themselves organized. ---
**Author:** ![Rob\_Sykes](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/rob_sykes/32/66393_2.png) [@Rob\_Sykes](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Rob_Sykes)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 9:12pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/stilts/49294/3 "2026-01-05T21:12:37Z")
I agree with the above, particularly how the building reflections are vertical and the implied bird body lines are horizontal. It might be worth getting rid of the stick on the lower right, though. Great photo. ---
**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:** [January 5, 2026, 9:44pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/stilts/49294/4 "2026-01-05T21:44:54Z")
Flock shots are notoriously difficult to pull off, Balan, because finding a focal point to anchor the image is always difficult unless one bird is doing something very different from the rest. That’s not really the case here, but I think you found another solution in this composition because the birds form a loose circle with an open spot in the middle. That circle provides a structure that the viewer’s eye can follow to keep it moving and not go wandering off the canvas. ---
**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:** [January 6, 2026, 12:45am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/stilts/49294/5 "2026-01-06T00:45:59Z")
Balan, I would agree with Dennis the composition allows the viewer to wander in a circular fashion from bird to bird. The red legs have a nice pop. The reflections are nice as well. ---
**Author:** ![Balan\_Vinod](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/e68b1a/32.png) [@Balan\_Vinod](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Balan_Vinod)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 5:42am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/stilts/49294/6 "2026-01-06T05:42:13Z")
Many thanks for your valuable comments, folks Balan Vinod ---
**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:** [January 8, 2026, 12:45am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/stilts/49294/7 "2026-01-08T00:45:50Z")
What a lovely image! I was immediately drawn to the abstract nature of the water, and the reflections almost look like those on ice. I like that you framed the edges with two of the darker lines.