Compositional Exercise - playing with masses

[Randy Stout]

One of the things I enjoy about photography is studying composition. Painters spend a lot of time with the concept of "masses" in the image. How to position them, how they interact, etc. Some painters go so far as to say that the arrangement of the masses in the image is more important to its success than the subject matter. Well, with bird photography, I wouldn't go that far, but I do think this concept is important for us as well.

Here we have a most common bird, but I thought the 'masses' in this image worked well together, and I liked the balance and arrangement. I left a bit more below than I normally would, because I liked the tiny punch of color from the red berries.

D700 600VR TC 1.4 850mm 1/2000 f/5.6 ISO 640 Gitzo/Wimberley

Post: Modest crop for comp, selective sharpening, toned down the foreground luminosity a bit. Removed a prominent stick from left frame edge.

Appreciate your thoughts and comments, esp. about the comp.

Cheers

Randy

[dankearl]

I think it is a very pleasing photo, Randy.
A nice foreground, middle ground and BG.
I think it would have worked better if the FG was sharp.
Hard to do, but f5.6 is too shallow for what you were trying to achieve, IMO.

[Shawn Zierman]

In regards to the "masses", this works very well, a harmonious arrangement of the masses if you will. I like the depth that the mass behind the bird gives...pushing the bird forward a bit. Nice bit of
color with the berries. Light quality is starting to get just a little harsh...

[Allen Sparks]

Hi Randy,
This composition works fine for me. My attention first goes straight to the bird and then I can explore the rest of the image ("masses") with extra interest without being too distracting.

[gail bisson]

What a stern looking GBH!
Very nice image Randy.
I like the opposing diagonal lines created by the 2 "masses".
Agree with keeping the berries for the color.
Gail

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Randy, what I like about this is that the heron is posed against the smoothest part of the BG. Good all round detail on the heron, sharp, and enough foliage and nest to work in the FG.

[David Salem]

Nice comp and scene. Exposed well and lots of detail. Flows well and I like the berries too. TFS

[Robert Holguin]

Excellent shot.
I really like the layered masses. It gives the pic a good sense of depth.
Great pose and excellent comp.
Very well done.