Yesterday afternoon I had the pleasure to meet (again) Artie and (for the first time) Denise, and it reminded me that while I lurk and learn quite a bit around here, I've not really posted anything in a rather long time, and I've been wanting to remedy that.
This one was taken almost a year ago soon after dawn with the sun rising behind me on a pond near where I live north of Boston. I find Coots to be a bit plain so decided that when I wanted to some pics to my collection, I wanted something that really had some zing to it. The autumn colors last year were spectacular and the reflections were exactly what I needed. I do wish I was able to catch the full reflection of the bird, but the area beyond where I have cropped was very unattractively elongated. Does this crop work?
Comments and especially constructive criticisms very much appreciated!
Very nice, I really like this a lot. I agree about Coots I really don't have any interesting pictures of them and yet they are fascinating birds.
I quite like the colors and the eye contact and facial clarity are a big plus.
For the crop I think if anything I'd go a little more off the bottom maybe up just past the bright highlight of the neck in the reflection.
The only other thing is the white bright highlights up in the water above the birds head to the right, maybe burn them down some so they aren't quite so highlighted near the neck and head.
I really like this image.
Wonderful orange against the blacks make this shot for me.
You have also achieved perfect DOF on the coot- from the tip of bill through to the face.
Details in the blacks look good.
The comp is definitely tricky but I think this is a good choice because you want room for the virtual feet and legs.
If this was mine I would clone out the bright specular highlight on the bottom of the breast ( near water line) and would rotate it CCW ever so slightly.
TFS,
Gail
Awesome head-on pose...this guy sure looks ready for a challenge! Love the dip in the water at body level. I do find the reflective water on the lower neck (and its' reflection) a bit bright, some low-opacity clone work would help reduce those (but not fully eliminate as you do want the appearance of being wet to remain).
Thanks everyone for the kind compliments and suggestions. I hope to try a few out this evening and will repost to see what you think.
Best,
Christopher
Coot on Autumn Reflection
Reply With Quote
