The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I’ve been following three Northern Harriers at the local wetlands I go to several times a week (so nice being retired). I don’t know if this is the same one I posted earlier or not…
These birds are so hard to catch in action/flight. And they’re sometimes skittish around people…other times not so much. Most of the time when I come upon them on a stump or post I miss the take off because of some distraction or getting tired hand holding the gear.
This time I was lucky to get the launch sequence. This is the best of the set.
Specific Feedback
Another boring PNW sky…there was shadow on the head and eye. I dodged the eye as much as I felt I could without looking too overdone. What do you think? There were also some distracting oof branches in the background that I cloned out. Do the WB and colors look good?
Technical Details
Nikon Z 8, 800mm, 1/2000sec @ f/6.3, ISO 4000
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Really nice subject, and moment. Well done. I love shooting raptors and the harrier is really tricky to get inflight AND perched. They are so skittish. Cool that you had it in your crosshairs to catch the “moment”. Congrats,
Hi David, nice take off pose with fine details on the bird. I don’t get a chance to see this species often - they are just showing up in our area here. Given, that it’s hard for me to comment on the colors of the bird specifically. A fine composition.
A very nice one from your series. BG looks fine and pulling in more exposure adjustments would lose the gray BG. The gray sky goes well with this type of hawk that’s built and behaves like an owl. Stump and pose go well together. WB looks fine. and BG is clean. I think you did very well and I like the image as presented…Jim
@Dave_Douglass, @Sandy_Richards-Brown, @Allen_Sparks, and @Jim_Zablotny thank you for the kind comments. I appreciate them very much. Now that I am retired, I have more time to spend on improving my skills with Avian Photography…still have a long ways to go, but it’s so rewarding.
Excellent catch, David. The take-off pose is great and I love the stump. I did find myself tilting my head to the right to look at this and it makes me wonder if you could get away with a bit of counter clockwise rotation.
