Critique Style Requested: Standard
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I took this photo a couple of weeks ago and it was a cold, blustery day along the Lake Erie shoreline. I found this male cardinal singing on top of a dead snag surrounded by the cold, cloud covered sky. Not a standard bird photo, but the featureless sky does bring a sense of Winter cold against a bird that knows its time to define its territory.
Specific Feedback
The only thing that I might do differently is to remove the small branch at the center of the frame. What’s your feeling about this and do you think that it distracts from the subject?
Technical Details
Z9 180-400mm f4 with 1.4x TC engaged 560mm (1/1000sec at f8.0, ISO=2500) DeNoise AI, crop for comp, Levels, Shadows & Highlights.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
- Vision and Purpose:
- Conceptual:
- Emotional Impact and Mood:
- Composition:
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- Technical:
Good high key image and your title fits well with the story. I like the composition and perch. Probably wouldn’t have thought about that little branch if you hadn’t mentioned it. Kind of points to the Cardinal and matches the branch below the Cardinal.
Very nice and unusual catch! The white sky gives it a lovely graphic quality and the tree is an interesting design feature. I like both of the small branch stubs, and the hint of a knothole at the base, and I love the landscape format composition. The bird has good sharpness and detail. I wonder about pulling up the shadows on it just a little, but that’s an idle thought. Well done!
I love the almost monochrome look of everything but the Cardinal, Jim, and thank you for keeping him small in the frame. The simple elegance of this composition makes this a great candidate for wall art on a large scale.
Yeah! This is so good! I love the simplicity, the title is perfect for the feel, and made me totally understand the sky (and feel the weather!) without reading your description. I appreciate that the bird looks natural, not overly contrast or saturated in this shot. The pose of the bird is perfect, too.
Like someone else said, I wouldn’t have even noticed the little stub of branch if you hadn’t pointed it out.
Like @Diane_Miller , I have an idle thought about maybe pulling up the shadows or exposure, leaning into the high key a little more, but it’s totally an idle thought and I also trust you’ve done what you wanted.
Simple, clean, striking. Very well done.
There are so many great bird photographers here!
Hi JIm, love the starkness of the cardinal’s surroundings in this shot and the bird is well placed in the frame. The red pops just right for my taste.
