The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
We don’t get Great Crested Grebes around where I live very often, so I was tickled pink to learn two pair had nested about an hours drive away. By the time I got there, one pair had courted, laid eggs and hatched. Missed the babies catching a ride. The other pair were in the middle of courtship, but no fancy dance on the day I was there. There was, however, a lot of gift exchanging. It was fun to watch rejection after rejection until the right one was found, but was still firmly attached.
I thought the image might be appropriate for Valentines Day.
Specific Feedback
Any comments are welcomed.
Technical Details
ISO 6400 150-600@600mm f6.3 1/320
The early morning was heavy with cloud and threatening rain.
Is the lily pad attachment a distraction or does it add to the image? Should it be shortened?
Basic adjustments in ACR and background cleanup and tamed with cloning and a bit of content aware on the top left.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
This is wonderful! We just got some Great Cresteds here in Japan today, but nothing like this. Excellent detail in great light and sweet action. gorgeous eyes. The attached reed adds a lot; much more than if it were a single leaf.
I wouldn’t change a thing - exceptional work!
And Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone!
What a beautiful bird. Their head colors and plumage really set them off. My eyes are drawn to the center right away. I love the courting story.
“I thought the image might be appropriate for Valentines Day”. Very appropriate.
Today I, we, celebrate 45yrs of courtship and gift exchanging. I normally, will not get rejected as long as it’s diamonds in my bill.
THANKS
What an exceptional image. The angles of both birds are great, you can clearly see the eyes of both birds, the breeding plumage is so nice on these grebes, the whimsical looks of the birds receiving the leaf is great with the head feathers popped up like they are, and the lovely blue and gold water colors all make for a truly great image. AT first I thought that leaf stem going out of the frame was an issue but I kind of like it as is now. Also, if you shortened it, it would look funny (gravity would pull the stem towards the water and if you cut it off it would just be hanging out there). Superb in all respects.
WOW! Fantastic, and so appropriate for Valentine’s Day!! I’m late and all the good stuff has already been said (and saves me typing). I think the stem adds a bit of humor, as in, he’s still desperately trying. It is a wonderful touch – leave it be!!
WOW! There used to be a number of mating couples in the pond of my local patch. But very low success rates (1 chick in 2 times 4 hatchlings surviving at the end of summer) relate to a dwindling population in Belgium. So, it is very nice to see that in other parts of the world, they still know about how to start a good relationship.
I like everything about the picture, including the droplets on the back of the receiving grebe. These will be dancing soon!
Congrats on a very much deserved EP.
Xavier
Excellent moment to capture and very appropriate for the occasion. I really like the angle you captured that shows the expressions on both the birds, as well as the gift. Techs look spot on. Congrats on the WP.
Even though this is an older post, I felt compelled to comment.
Everything about this image is perfect in my view.
The leaf appears to be heart shaped (to me), and that alone makes it even more appropriate for Valentines Day.
The expression on the female Grebe is priceless, especially with her raised crest!
I imagine the male asking: “Would you accept this courting gift that I so carefully selected for you?” while the female responds with: “Oh, how lovely, YES, of course, my dear!”
Congratulations on the EP! It was very well deserved!
