Scoter looks out to sea

[Nikhil Patwardhan]

Shot in November 2014 in New Jersey, this Black Scoter standing at the water's edge reminded me of a scene so often shown in movies where someone is standing alone thinking gravely about something. I have hence given it a color treatment to accentuate the idyllic mood, though not a very strong one. I wished to express the loneliness of the bird (ok that's a romantic way of putting it ), contrasting with the usual sighting of this species (AFAIK) in flocks and out in the sea.

Shot with a Nikon D7000 w/ 300mm f/2.8 ED IF (non AF-I, AF-S or VR). 1/750s, f/4.8 @ ISO 100

[Anita Bower]

Welcome to the OOTB forum.
Your image conveys exactly the scene you had in mind--that is what it reminded me of before I read your description! Well done. I like the soft color of the water.
What do you think of cropping some off the left so the bird isn't so centered and has room to look out.

[Nikhil Patwardhan]

Thank you Anita
I think the crop from the left indeed looks better


I forgot to resharpen after the crop btw...

[Paul Lagasi]

To me the scoter is saying , when will the winter end. you seldom see these birds on shore...nice capture, good advice given by Anita

[Jackie Schuknecht]

I like the scene, and in particular the lovely hue of the water. I might crop a little less from the left. I wonder if you can bring out a little more detail in the eye. I think it would give it a good focal point.