The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I keep finding myself going back to this August day in 2016 when this Coopers Hawk hung around most of the day. We had heavy showers and some sun and it gave me extended sessions in both with all kinds of interesting poses. It was drying out after a shower in this one, but the pose reminded me of a classic matador image.
P.S. I just realized I’d posted another image from this series with a different head turn in 2020. I think I like this one better.
Specific Feedback
I debated over the crop and whether to off-center it horizontally more. I finally settled on this, but I’d appreciate other opinions.
Technical Details
Canon 7D II, Sigma 150-600 contemporary @ 468 mm, Hand held braced against a wall, f/8, 1/400, iso 800. DxO PureRaw4, LR & PS CC. Microcontrast boost and a small curves adjustment to the bird. Cropped to 2766x2455. Taken August 7, 2016.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Dennis - an amazing image! Love the pose, the bright eyes and the exquisite detail in this beautiful bird. The perch is fine, and the BG sets off the hawk well.
Fine as is, but you might also consider moving the bird to the right just a bit off-center. That light circle to the right of the hawk draws my eye a little.
A really fine image !
Dennis, this is a classic. I love the “matador” pose and the look. This is such a clean straight forward image. I think the centered crop works nicely with the flared out tail and wing. This ticks all of the really great image boxes for me.
Wonderful – and a perfect title!! Sharp detail and excellent tonalities in a very cool pose!! The colors are just right, especially the perch – the subtle golds in the old fence rail (?) are echoed in the BG, and the flecks of light match the feathers. And of course the browns match the bird’s coloration.
The centering works for me, with plenty of space for the bird to stare into. Some subtle cloning could reduce the highlight on the right just a bit. The two on the left are hardly noticeable.
Wonderful image Dennis - love the pose with the raised tail and great head expression. BG looks good but I could see eliminating the round orb on the upper right. Fine details and Exposure. Well done!
Dennis–Repost is awesome and the edits have worked well to improve an already great image. It is very difficult to get a Cooper’s hawk perched in the open and doing something of interest. Fanned tail and the yellow eyed stare work very well…Jim
