Along the painterly waterways with a nesting grebe
Fine folks
I cropped the sides away from this picture. It was taken just as the sun was setting, and the grebe and her nest are not sharp but I like the picture for a variety of reasons, none of which I'd dare mention. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on composition, etc.
Many thanks for your consideration!
Jack, first of all let me say that you have an OOTB personality which I love - you are an artist at heart. I always enjoy your posts and thoughts (and your website). I've never seen a grebe's nest so that is cool. I would probably crop a little off of the bottom and evict the long diagonal stick in front of the nest and on top of the little clump of grasses (which I like a lot). And evict the diagonal stick behind the grebe to make it cleaner. Hope to see more of your creations here.
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly" - The Little Prince
http://tuscawillaphotographycherylslechta.zenfolio.com/
Cheryl, thank you for your kind and bolstering words and also for your excellent eyes. I spent 3 wonderful weeks paying close attention to these grebes. Of course they laid eggs that didn't hatch; it's very hard for this species, at least in southern Ontario, and although I was disappointed I consoled myself with the old "ah but it's nature's way" argument. Back to the picture: I'm in complete agreement with you RE the eviction of those sticks. They add nothing and actually they detract somewhat, and of course it'll be an easy removal. My sincere and heartfelt thanks to you. I love your quote from "The Little Prince" and I am both sad and happy that the book is a one-of-a-kind creation...
The bkgd patterns in the water and the reflected sunset colors are lovely and graceful. The diagonally placed grebe's nest high in the image makes a great composition. Since the grebe and her nest are not sharp I would try a version that makes them even less sharp and a bit more emphasis on lines and color. As is, my eyes try hard to see sharpness where it is not.
Nancy, you too are a smart cookie, if you'll forgive my familiar way of speaking. Your point is well-taken. Yes, the grebes and their nest should somehow be blurred a little more. Any ideas? I've never intentionally blurred anything in my life! Why not start now? Thanks for your excellent observation and comments...
I love the colors and the diagonals. There's a wonderful warm/cool contrast. You specifically mentioned composition. Here are my thoughts . . .
The colors in the water are important elements, so the composition shouldn't compromise their effect unduly. The grebe and its nest are more than just incidental. Their visual mass is left of center, but the prominent part of the grebe is pretty much centered horizontally. In addition, they're very high in the image. I think a square composition with some cropped off the left and a greater amount cropped off the bottom retains the layers of color, takes advantage of the diagonals, and better positions the grebe and nest. I don't mind the sticks, at all, but I wasn't sure, at first, about the green at the top. It does add to the diagonals, though, and that's a good thing.
Dennis, it is going to take me a little while to completely understand your analysis, because I'm something of an idiot when it comes to UNDERSTANDING what makes a pleasing image. I know what I like and that's about as far as the brain's gotten thus far. That said, I love what you've done with the picture and I'm going to make a point of grasping your smart comments. I like the way you're thinking, that's for sure. Many thanks...
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