Little Estero Lagoon
D3, 70-200/2.8 plus 1.7X
f/5.6, 1/2000, iso 400
no flash
Nik Color Effect 3.0 GND Filter applied
Comments appreciated :)
Little Estero Lagoon
D3, 70-200/2.8 plus 1.7X
f/5.6, 1/2000, iso 400
no flash
Nik Color Effect 3.0 GND Filter applied
Comments appreciated :)
It's very nice photo for me - I really like its composition and lighting.
Great side-lighting. :) Love the detail on the upper legs, the eye and bill. The subtlety in the image is great. I think this is the work of the filter. Because the upper neck and head are cut out, I don't think the reflection is necessary. A helpful crop would extend from the bottom to the edge of the visible ripples, in my opinion.
Paul
Fabs, you're very welcome. Hope I didn't make my comment to confusing, I don't understand what you mean by "virtual legs" but I hope you didn't get the impression a crop should extend right up to there! Just above your copyright watermark to cut out the "neck" reflection and leave the reflection as the rest of the body.
Sorry if I misunderstood.
Virtual legs is the distance our eyes need to allow for the legs if they were visible. It is a very important part of composition and I am glad you asked, since it will be good for others to read.
Even if the legs are covered by water or leaves, it is desirable to allow that space as not to add tension to the image, leaving a feeling of wanting more.
Hope this helps and thanks for taking your time to comment and voice your opinion. Wish more members will do that :)
Such a beautiful bird. I like the soft lighting and the look in the other direction. Beautiful photo.
Hi Fab,
The composition, pose and light works for me. I like the feeling of this image. Great work!
Very soft and pleasant light,original composition.I like it!
Great pose, soft light and calm water. If anything I would wish for a lower angle. I guess that was not an option?
LOL, I took the lower angle the following day and no one wanted to get close to me :)
Sticky mud is at that side of the lagoon :eek:
So it depends how much you want it. Also, the strip of sand that goes to the beach part, which is higher than the lagoon, may have gotten on my way as bg on a lower angle. Not sure.
My main idea, though, was not to get too filthy that morning ;)
Thanks all for your comments :
The reason I'm responding to critique is for learning purposes, not because I mind getting constructive suggestions :)
Delicately beautiful Fabs. Its not a WOW image. But it is very nice.
Have you spent much time shooting in Texas? I,m headed down there in February to McAllen for the PIF conference. I'd love any advice you or Al could offer :)
Hi Fabs, I really really like this one! The smooth pastel is totally awesome.
One question regarding ColorFX (and I have used version 2 several times myself, so I am familar with that their filters do *really* amazing things): What does the GND filter do? Maybe you could share with us the "before" version :-)?
I really like the softness of this Fabs. This is a look I strive to get, but haven't been too successful yet - always a reason to keep trying.
Christof, it means Graduated Neutral Density and is used mostly on landscapes to darken the upper part of the image to avoid washed out skies. Small version of NEF file is enclosed, Notice the vignetting caused by a full frame camera. Normally, I would have taken it out at conversion, but just did this in a hurry since the PSD file that I saved as Master, has the filter applied.
ND grad, now I understand. It has really made this shot effective in concealing the movement and bringing out the subtly and calmness. I am actually currently exploring options for a ND filter to give my landscape photography a good start and was wondering if these filters can be applied in wildlife situations as well. I think I know my answer! Thanks for sharing Fabs.
Paul
Hi Fabs, thanks for the explanation, that helped. It's just the TLAs we're learning ;-).
I have one of those filters in hardware in my photo bag, so yes, I know the effect, but wonderfully applied here, congrats!
I really like the pose and colors!!!