Pied Billed Grebe

[dankearl]

D500, 500mm (300 w/ 1.7), f5, 1/400, iso110
PP in photoshop, sized and sharpened with TK panels.
Water by Crystal Springs.....

DSC_9124bp.jpg (http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=181245&stc=1&d=1557148887)

[annmpacheco]

I like the water and the swirls Dan only wish for a slight head turn our way. Sharp, good work!

[David Roach]

Love the oof water (incl. reflection), the sharpness and the EXP. Don't so much mind the HA as there is a great view of the eye and the head is sharp everywhere. TFS

[Doug Brown]

Beautiful water and a nicely detailed bird. I would like to see the head angled slightly towards the viewer, and I'd consider moving the bird down and slightly to the left in the frame.

[John Mack]

Great painterly water on this one. Like the reflection and the pose.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Yes to a better head angle (IMO), and the image seems to have a washed out look to it that you normally do not have...for that reason I would either add contrast, or deepen the blacks. Cute little guy, with a good reflection! Nice colours too.

[dankearl]

Thanks for all the comments.
Here is repost addressing them.
Per Doug, moved lower and left in frame.
Per Dan, upped the vibrance.
Per everyone else, better head angle.
Water not as nice in this one..
Appreciate the critiques.
DSC_9126bp.jpg (http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=181252&stc=1&d=1557189693)

[Dorian Anderson]

The repost is certainly an improvement, most notably the head angle. I do think the bird is a bit low in the frame in the report; there is a lot of dead space above him. Both images look reasonably sharp, but there's something else going on that makes them look a bit hazy/fuzzy/muted. Reflection in eye shows sun angle to be decent, but the colors don't crack like I'd expect. It's almost like these were taken through a light mist. LR has a dehaze feature, and these might benefit from 5-10 point on that slider if you process that way.

[dankearl]

The eyes on this forum are amazing..
People like Daniel hinted at it and Dorian nailed it.
Although I did not think it mattered, I was shooting through a railing, lens hood, ( I should have removed it),
pressed up against and shooting through.
but it was just enough to put the "haze" Dorian mentioned.
I loved the water and thought I could get away with it.
Thanks to all, sharp experienced eyes.
First time I have ever tried to shoot like this.
I am usually on the ground at waters edge.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Thanks for the additional comments, Dan - that explains it! The repost has the better pose but I can see what you mean about the water.