Common Coot

[Luis Patacao]

I`ve been posting some images on the Eager to learn forum and the advices given by some experienced members have been very useful, so i thought now might be a good time to start posting here and continue to post on the eager to learn forum when needed. ( i believe this is the correct approach, but as this will be my first post on the avian forum, please let me know if i`m wrong).

This common coot, as it is know in Portugal was shot about two weeks ago in a lagoon near the place where i live. My intention was to make use of the side light and bring out the coot`s eye. Also the side lighting helped the plumage textures.

Would love to hear thoughts and critiques to improve.


Galeirão I Common Coot por Patacão, no Flickr


Nikon D7000, 500mm f 6.3 (Sigma 150-500mm) HH
Curves and selective sharpening on the coot on PS.
Small crop done, and cloned out a small branch on the right side.

[John Rowell]

You were able to catch some very good detail with the early light. You might consider a tighter crop and removing a few more of the oof twigs on the right side of the image.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Nice texture to the plumage due to the off centre lighting, and it looks like you got some sweet light too. Sharp as posted, and neat water colours. I find the layer at vegetation at bottom looks oversharpened. I also find the subject quite tight at bottom - do you have more canvas to add back below?

[Luis Patacao]

You were able to catch some very good detail with the early light. You might consider a tighter crop and removing a few more of the oof twigs on the right side of the image.

Thanks for the feedback John!

[Luis Patacao]

Nice texture to the plumage due to the off centre lighting, and it looks like you got some sweet light too. Sharp as posted, and neat water colours. I find the layer at vegetation at bottom looks oversharpened. I also find the subject quite tight at bottom - do you have more canvas to add back below?

Thanks for the comment Daniel, i believe that the nature of the vegetation has that drawback. Regarding the canvas space it will not be easy for me but i will try and add some on the bottom.

[Diane Miller]

Hi Luis,

Good to see you posting over here, where you will get more feedback than in ETL. Your posts there have been very strong.

Although the light was warm, you might consider reducing the yellow a little. And the vegetation at the bottom might be made a little less distracting with some reduction in contrast.

You might think about cropping a little from the top and left, if the IQ will support it. There is not much happening in those areas.