Rework
Critique Style Requested: Standard
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
This blue heron frequents the lake near me. I see him every Sunday morning. He is very territorial and chases other birds away. I thought this shot with his tongue out was amusing.
Specific Feedback
General feedback regarding composure and overall edit, please.
Technical Details
Sony A7RV
100-400GM lens @ 400mm
ISO 800
f5.6
1/400 sec
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1 Like
A wonderful catch with great focus and detail and excellent soft light! The tongue hanging out is amazing. I’m not a birder and I’d love to hear what the knowledgeable folks think about this! (Makes me think he just got back from the dentist and the local hasn’t worn off…)
One small suggestion – the tip of sand in the left edge pulls my wandering eye. I’d be tempted to clone it out.
1 Like
This is a nice image. I agree with Diane. I also think in addition to her suggestion about the bit of sand, I might add a tiny bit of darkening to the white plumage on the face to bring out some of the detail. Otherwise, I have no concerns about the image. Well done.
1 Like
@Diane_Miller @David_Schoen Thank you both for the valuable feedback. I feel like my editing skills need work, which is why I post here and value this community’s feedback.
I never even saw the sand behind the bird until you pointed it out, and then I couldn’t not see it!
David, I went through and did some localized darkening on some of the hot spots. I definitely think it looks better.
Yeah, the now-I-can’t-not-see-it thing plagues us all. There is something about some minor distraction having been there all along that makes it invisible. And the work on the whites is excellent (good call by @David_Schoen)-- you brought out detail beautifully without pulling it down to grays. Handsome bird! And I’m still smiling at that tongue!
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A very nice habitat shot, Gary. Good job on the repost. One of my more photographed birds and I’ve never seen the tongue hang out like this. Excellent capture.
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Nice job on the original and the repost, Gary. The tongue is a fun thing and I have no idea why the heron would do it-maybe cleaning it? I do have a picture of an American Bittern doing the same thing. You did a good job bringing down the whites. On hint, is that I find using the local adjustment brush in LR and bringing down the highlights with it works better than the standard burning tool in PS.
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Thanks @Dennis_Plank. I’ve never seen a heron lick its “lips” either. My only thought is that it was driving its beak into the mud before this.
As far as PS, I’ve never used it. I’m barely fluent in LR right now, so I haven’t even opened PS yet.
Nice job on the repost Gary. I like the environment this heron is shown in. The tongue sticking out makes this a very interesting behavioral image also. Well done.
1 Like
