Green Heron with Bluegill

[Steven Kersting]

Not sure how I feel about this one....
I really like that there's prey involved and it's one of my better green heron images I think. But I don't know if the BG is too distracting or what it is that keeps this from being great.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6164/6187667940_f88297e624_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/skersting/6187667940/)
D7000 w/ Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 @ 600mm f/5.6, ISO400, 1/1250, +.3, spot, HH, FF

[Daniel Cadieux]

Very neat scene, super that the fish has its face towards us, and I do like the habitat. Good details, and beautiful colours. It's the comp that prevents your image from being great. Two options you had. Either zoom out to be able to give more room at right and below, or zoom in tighter (even if cutting the body at left)...and with both these options you needed to point the lens more to your right.

[Steven Kersting]

Thanks for the comment. I understand the composition, but why point the camera further rt? Lighting?

[Daniel Cadieux]

You're welcome. That is to give more space in front of the heron to avoid it being centered in the frame.

[Steven Kersting]

How's this one?
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7155/6561094547_e3437842fc_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/skersting/6561094547/)

Same basic Exif, both report 600mm I must have cropped the first one and forgotten.