Waterbucks in the Morning Glow

Image Critiques Wildlife Critiques
1

NPN_WATERBUCKS_0880_3.jpg
NPN_WATERBUCKS_0880_3.jpg1500×1000 1.29 MB

Critique Style Requested: Initial Reaction

Please share your immediate response to the image before reading the photographer’s intent (obscured text below) or other comments. The photographer seeks a genuinely unbiased first impression.

Questions to guide your feedback

Initial reactions?

Other Information

Please leave your feedback before viewing the blurred information below, once you have replied, click to reveal the text and see if your assessment aligns with the photographer. Remember, this if for their benefit to learn what your unbiased reaction is.

Image Description

Photographed along the Lower Zambezi in the early morning.

Technical Details

Nikon Z9, Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
1/640 sec. at f/4, ISO 280, 560mm
Lightroom Classic - cropping, minor adjustments to whites, blacks, highlights, some dehazing.

Specific Feedback

I really like the ephereal scene, but am struggling with whether anyone else would. Cropping was challenging. Appreciate any and all comments!

Critique Template

Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.

Vision and Purpose:
Conceptual:
Emotional Impact and Mood:
Composition:
Balance and Visual Weight:
Depth and Dimension:
Color:
Lighting:
Processing:
Technical:

2

I like the morning glow Christine, it has a lovely African feel to it.
The bucks look good, but I’m not over enamoured with the framing. I like the two in the centre, they give a clear focus of attention, but I don’t feel that the other two add much more to the picture, the RHS is unfortunately cut off at the rear and the LHS is looking out of frame.
Maybe it’s worth playing around with the centre of the frame and see what you can come up with.
It’s never easy with animals when you are on a game drive, there are so many elements to get right and very little time to do it.

1 Like
3

Thank you @Ryan_H . Appreciate it!