The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
As I was peeking down from a cliff, I saw these two swans. The top image was first captured.
Specific Feedback
All kinds of comments are welcome, but I have two specific questions:
Which of the two images works best? The two swans are positioned differently and have different expressions.
Do the colors of the water look unnatural? The images are almost straight out of camera, and the colors looked as green as on these images, but they may appear unnatural.
Technical Details
Camera settings: 1/1000 sec at f3.2, ISO 250
Lens: Sigma 135 mm, f1.8
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Wonderful images, both of them. I suppose I like the 2nd more but could be convinced of either one. An argument could be made that the image might be stronger with more space on both sides but I like it as is also.
I guess I like all that ambiguous distortion with the white birds distinctly sharp. It’s poetic somehow.
Actually, the first image may have a stronger composition.
Hi Leo, These images are quite lovely! I would pick the first one given the stronger natural contrast of the swan over the darker bottom and the more similar positions of the swans providing a better sense of an echo or repetition. But both are well seen can captured. Well done!
Very nice, with an unusual shooting angle. I much prefer the second, for the subtly lower contrast and both birds against similar BGs. I wonder about going even lower on the contrast – with the Shadows and Highlights sliders or Curves adjustments in raw conversion available on LR/ACR – although I’m handicapped in that comment with no information how you processed them.
Hi Leo,
Both images are quite nice, but my favorite is the second one. I like the positions of the swans better as they form a nice diagonal. Also the swan on the right is more distinct whereas in the first version the neck blends into the the rocks and water a little bit. As far as the color of the water it looks just fine to me. Nicely done.
How lovely! I prefer the 2nd version because the two swans are positioned such that they make a more pronounced angled line between them (because both are in the more greenish lighter area). I also like that they are both looking out of the frame. That implies more action to the left and right. The vivid greens are striking, but don’t look unnatural to me.
