Thanks for all your input so far.. you guys are great... (and probably pretty tired by now)......
I shot this during the migration early last spring... these birds tend to be a bit edgy and dont allow close approach.. they simply dive and fish to move away from you.. so I was actually able to anticipate where one might come up... and crouch down low over the water... and for once I was right... my subject crashed dived a heartbeat or two later... but left me with this capture... this shot was cropped in a bit.. I liked the tight crop myself... but Im seeing that mostly others see it as a nit... there was no interesting surrounding environment here.. and I wanted to focus on the loon.... that was MY thought process for this creation....
thanks again for your help... I appreciate honesty above all.. and though you promise gentle... that doesnt matter to me as much... when something sucks I prefer to hear it... lol it just makes me more determined for my next photo op...
1/800
ISO 100
F 5.6
handheld
500mm F4 IS
Canon 20D
Congratulations on your spirit regarding critiques :)
This one,although tight, is making a compositional statement, and for me it works. I'll tell you a trick, when insecure about a comp, look a the thumbnail, the smaller version let's you see the bigger picture, if that makes sense at all :eek:
The blacks look somehow noisy, maybe you adjusted the exposure too much or overuse of Shadow/Highlights?
Hey Kenn
I'm with Fabs......I like your spirit. I love the loons and especially close up views. I was thinking about what might improve the one you posted and then I saw what Jody had done....just a few tweaks can make a world of difference. Fabs right about looking at the thumbnails....it usually hits you right off the bat whether if feels/looks right or not. If it's any comfort......I will probably always struggle with composition....you just have to work at it.