Sleeping Great Crested Grebe

[Frank Schauf]

The eye was to the watch always open.
1DMIV, EF600, 1/800 sec, f/7.1, ISO 250

109975

[Arthur Morris]

Relatively sharp with what looks like a good EXP. Breast could use some detail and density via either a Linear Burn and/or NIK CE Pro Detail Extractor. I like the concept but wish that the eye were open a bit more.

[Frank Schauf]

Thanks, I've edited it again, with NIK CE Pro Detail Extractor.

109978

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Nice low angle, light and details, Frank. I like the repost.
Since the reflection isn't too strong, I would place the bird much lower in the frame, but that's usually a matter of personal preference.
I'd eliminate the lower catchlight in the eye.

[jack williamson]

I too would like to see the bird lower in the frame, otherwise very sharp with good exposure. I like the sleeping pose and the BG. Repost looks better.

Jack

[pat lillich]

truly beautiful, colors, detail and mood. Repost with detail extractor is better - I love the eye as it is, but would love to see the bird lower in the frame.

[Dave Leroy]

I like the alert but resting pose. Repost seems to have more detail on my laptop. I would look at a pano crop taking off bottom to at least the reflection. Lovely bird.

[Ron Sprunger]

I love the image, Frank, and especially the repost. Sie haben gut getan. If it were mine, I'd crop bottom to just below the orange, making a 2:1 pano essentially. It's a great look at a beautiful bird I've never seen.

[arash_hazeghi]

great pose, details and nice low angle. I would move the bird a bit lower, agree with Artie regarding eye visibility

[dankearl]

Another beautiful photo of this species.
I agree about the crop, but I still really enjoy these.

[Arthur Morris]

Breast detail much improved.

Though not many pixels to work with I opened eye a bit (Advanced Eye Doctor visit), darkened the pupil, sharpened the eye, and cropped from below.

[Melissa Groo]

Frank, what a gorgeous pose and portrait. I see what folks mean about the eye, but I still think it's a stunner. Good job on pulling out more details with the NIK. I like the comp as is.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Your repost is a great improvement on a wonderfult image. I'm on the lower in the frame boat as well. I like Artie's repost too but think both work well.

[Charles Glatzer]

Wonderful image, further enhanced in Artie's repost.

Chas

[Ofer Levy]

Very nice image! I like the colours and pose. I like Artie's repost when it comes to composition but the "eye job" is a bit too radical for my taste as it actually changes the shape of the eye from the original.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Frank, Your repost has brought out more detail, and I like the overall sharpness. Good colours throughout, and I like the sleeping pose. Artie recrop is what I would have gone for. Still, well captured.