Avocet in morning mist

[Ian Cassell]

Canon 7D
Canon 500mm/4

1/2500sec f/4 ISO 800

CS6, Noiseware Pro

I wrestled with the position of the Avocet in the frame and decided on symmetry.

[Sandy Witvoet]

Hi Ian! I think your choice of placement and comp are very good, especially since it is pretty much "head on". Water droplets make this special...some really cool reflections within them! BG and FG are super... make it serene and a bit "moody". I've not seen an Avocet, so had to check it out in my guides.... He/she looks rather dark...and maybe blends into the environment a bit too much? What do you think about "boosting the bird"... a little? Your image is SO clean! (just maybe clone out the three tiny white spots on the left side). Very beautiful!

[Diane Miller]

What Sandy said! I love it as a centered subject! You say CS6 but was it a RAW file and with what processing? I like the calm peacefulness but wonder if it is a bit lacking in midtone contrast, and wonder if more can be brought out without blowing out the lovely highlights. ACR / LR have wonderful abilities here but I don't know what you have done already,thus whether you can do more...

But as to your question -- I love the crop as presented!

[Wendy Kates]

Ian, I love the "moody" feeling in this image, as well as the background and the water droplets. I also like the placement of the avocet. I agree that the avocet seems a tad dark, but overall, great job!

[Ian Cassell]

Thanks, folks. Diane, I only shoot RAW. I used CS6 here basically just for a bit of crop for composition and some levels adjustment as well as sharpening on the bird. I used Noiseware Pro for BG noise. I'll play a bit more with contrast and see how it works out.

[Clyde Hopper]

Nothing to add here Ian. Just to say what a lovely image !