Canon 7D
500mm f/4
Gitzo 3530LS/full Wimberley
standing in water/waders
1/1600 sec
f/8
ISO 400
Shadle's recent posts have got me missing spoonbills. Here's one from my wonderful trip out with him this past February to Alafia Banks. I really liked the low, soft light, and the raised foot. Wondering what others think of the sandbar line in back (apart from the fact that it's not ideal to have it back there cutting the bird off at the neck)--I could have either straightened the line of the beach, or the lines in the water, and chose the water. What is the right thing to do in this case?
Hope it's sharp enough and whites aren't too hot. Should I get rid of all the muck in the water or leave as is?
I cropped about 50%. Pulled contrast up in Curves, did some Recovery on whites, ran NR, Smart Sharpened. Lightened eye area just a small bit.
Thanks so much for looking! I very much appreciate any and all comments/critiques.
06-22-2011, 03:04 PM
Jim Crosswell
I like the raised foot, HA and low angle. The muck doesn't bother me but it looks a little tight in the frame. I would like a little more room behind and more up top. Nice image Melissa.
06-22-2011, 03:41 PM
Grace Scalzo
I'd start by loosening up the crop. The bird is really jammed in the frame.
06-22-2011, 05:25 PM
Herb Houghton
I like this image a lot, but it needs more room like stated earlier. As far as leveling, I always go with the water. If the water is level and horizon is crooked, it's usually understood that the land is uneven and not the water. It looks plenty sharp and I see no hot spots really.
06-22-2011, 07:15 PM
Daniel Cadieux
Nice colours, exposure, sharpness. Spoonbill's pose looks good too with the raised foot and perfect head angle. You did well in keeping the water level...notice the water disturbance around the leg's meeting point in the water...had you levelled the shoreline instead that little water rippling effect would have looked un-naturally slanted (as would have the reflection).
The best way to have gotten rid of the shoreline cutting across the subject would have been to get down to water level...or crouch down as low as you could...not sure you were ready to get that wet though (or risk getting water in the waders):S3:. More distracting to my eye though is the reddish spot touching the head. I also agree in making the composition looser.
Still very well done Melissa!
06-22-2011, 08:01 PM
Melissa Groo
1 Attachment(s)
Thanks for the suggestions and comments. Have reposted with less crop. And Daniel, thanks for that note about the reddish spot, I see what you mean. Took it out for this repost. Do you think the space around the bird is enough now?
06-22-2011, 08:29 PM
Mike Milicia
Lots of good feedback so far and repost is a big improvement.
With respect to leveling, you've always got to go with the water. Whites look good.
A bit of fill flash would have helped to open up the back end a bit.
06-23-2011, 12:03 AM
arash_hazeghi
lovely pose and details Melissa in terms of crop I prefer looser than the original and slightly tighter than repost.