Critique Style Requested: Standard
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
As I was driving along the road through Death Valley I noticed these three vultures perched in a tree. I thought the scene with the tree in the foreground and the hills in the background would work well so I used my 100-400 mm lens to compose this shot. I think this image gives one the feel of what Death Valley is like-a stark, harsh environment where just surviving is a hard thing to do. And these vultures will take advantage of that given the opportunity.
Specific Feedback
I took this photo in harsh late morning light. The scene was quite bright so I reduced the overall exposure and whites in post to make it more pleasing to my eye. Do you think it’s enough, or maybe more should be done. When I first started in photography I always wanted to get my wildlife subjects to fill the frame. But now I prefer these environmental shots, where the subject is more a part of the landscape. I feel it tells a better story. I would like to hear what you think about that. Thanks for taking a look. 
Technical Details
Canon R6 Mkii, 100-400mm lens @400mm
f/9, 1/80 sec @ ISO 400
Processed entirely in Lightroom
It does look like bright light, but I think you’ve tamed it well. Interesting that the birds weren’t soaring that time of day. Maybe there was some food nearby? (Or were you looking particularly feeble at that moment?)
I love a frame filler as much as the next guy, especially when the details are crisp and sharp, but easly some of my favorites of fauna are environmental as you suggest. With that said, a square crop that takes a bit off the left side might settle the eye on the birds better.
I like this, Ted. It most definitely tells a story even if a bit of a stereotypical “vultures in the desert waiting for something to die” story. The tree is absolutely perfect for that story as are the vultures’ positions. I do kind of wish that the two upper vultures didn’t intersect dividing lines in the background, but I don’t know how much moving around you could do and it looks like you’d probably have to get higher or lower to achieve that.
As for close-up versus environmental images, I do both and don’t concern myself with whether on is “better” than the other.
You have a nice twofer here, Ted. A nice environmental, or a crop off the left side to just focus on the tree and birds.
Vultures, a dead tree, Death Valley-iconic, Ted. Well seen and photographed.
Thank you @John_Williams @Dennis_Plank @Michael_Lowe and @Allen_Brooks for your feedback. Some really good suggestions regarding this image.
