Red-Necked Phalarope Passing Through

[Melissa Groo]

Canon 1D4
700mm
Gitzo 3530LS/Wimberley spread low

ISO 1000
1/2500 sec
f/5.6

As those in the know can tell, this is a not a recent photo, as this red-necked phalarope is in breeding condition. This was a rare visitor to my town in upstate NY, that made an appearance on her way up to the Arctic in the spring. I had about one hour with her at the end of a day in May. I was recently reworking this to post on my web site, and was wondering about the crop. I know Artie recommends 2-3x more space above than below, and I am assuming that when there's a reflection, that that pertains to the space below the reflection. What do people think of the crop?
Thanks so much for any comments and critiques.

[Frank Schauf]

Beautiful and colorful image. Sharp and well composed, Melissa.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Melissa, love the droplets coming off the wing tip, together with the colour graduation in the BG. Sharp where it counts, and I always feel if the reflection is not clear enough to work, I crop it away to suit, so in this, I would take at least half off the bottom, but as I said, thats just a personal thing.

[Melissa Groo]

Thanks for the comments, Frank and Stuart. Here's a crop along the lines of what you suggest, Stuart.

[Stu Bowie]

Thats what I had in mind - lets see how others see it.

[Marina Scarr]

The colors are what really stand out to me in this image. They are gentle yet powerful and work well with the colors of the bird. I much prefer the crop on the repost but would go a sliver more to eliminate the little piece of beak which is remaining. The picture is sharp where it needs to be and I love the wing position and the water droplets and the little wave in front of the bird. The only thing that could have improved this image was for the bird to have not been facing slightly away. Regardless, this is a super image and actually quite artistic.

[gail bisson]

Hi Melissa,
What attracted me immediately to this shot were the colors. Love that teal to green to yellow transition.
The water depression behind the bird and the up sweeping droplets are very cool as well.
I like the crop in the repost but feel the IQ has suffered a bit (i see noise in the dark area of wings in repost and eye area seems a bit softer) so I would take a bit off the bottom in the OP and a sliver off the left.
Another thought would be a pano crop if you have a nice water trail behind the bird,
Gail

[Karl Egressy]

Great finding and excellent picture Melissa. The water and background looks nice as well. I think I like the repost better as it draws much more attention to the bird.

[Gary Kinard]

Yea, i like the crop better. Nice bird and shot.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Very beautiful image Melissa! love the original and droplets.

[arash_hazeghi]

Excellent Melissa! you certainly captured a dynamic pose and I like the BG plus the subtle droplets. crop wise I actually prefer something between your original and the repost with enough room for virtual feet. When the pose is dynamic I find it less distracting if the reflection is not mirror clear.

Great work

[Satish Ranadive]

Melissa:
Fabulous creation.Very nice composition with beautiful backdrop.
Love the wing position with blurred tips and water trails;which gives nice feel of action.

Regards,
Satish.

[Craig Kerr]

The colors are stunning and I like the way the water clings to the front feathers.
Like the second post more :-)

[David Salem]

Very nice . I love to watch phalaropes feeding in their quick circular motion. Not sure how they dont get dizzy. Somewhere between the OP and the RP would be perfect. Great color and action. Like how the BG blends with the FG. Great Job.

David

[Melissa Groo]

Thanks to all so much for the feedback and suggestions. Here is a final crop, that is in between the two, as several have suggested.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Those colors are great. I am going away from the vote and prefer the original keeping all of the reflection. If it were mine I would crop the OP a bit from the top and some off the right to tighten it up but would definately keep all of the reflection as I feel it adds to the creative design of the image.

[Amol Khedgikar]

I usually crop the way Arash suggested- leaving room for virtual feet. BUt it doesnt seem to work in 2nd repost; at least for me. I also use the same thought process as Stuart for reflections.

Beatutiful pic with all the colors and the droplets coming off the wing. Just wish she wasnt looking slightly away. I also feel that the bird itself could use a round of NR.