Blue Heron on a beach

[Beata Bar]

Hi everyone,

This photo is from a series of photos I took at Fort Walton Beach in Florida. This was my first attempt ever to photograph birds so I was happy that this blue heron was cooperating. I am an amateur photographer trying to improve my skills so any feedback will be greatly appreciated.

thanks,

Beata

camera: Nikon D7000
lens: Nikon 16-85mm

[Raybel Robles]

A very unique image for sure! The use of a wide angle lens rather than a telephoto lens make it a more birdscape type of shot. I live in an Island and this picture reminds me of the usual photos we see around here of models posing by the beach side!! lol

I would maybe light up the bird a tad bit, it seems a bit dark I think.

[Marina Scarr]

This image is really working for me. Love the wide angle feel, your low angle and the colors are very vibrant. It appears as though you are off to a very good start!

[Diane Miller]

A very unique image! I would clone out the debris that is cut in two by the bottom of the frame. I agree with Raybel about lightening the dark tones of the bird a little. There is a strange flatness in the mid-tones of the water, where detail is lacking.

[Beata Bar]

Thank you so much for all your feedback. The bird's body was actually a bit lighter at the beginning but there was so much detail in the feather (light, dark, some color) and I wanted the viewer's attention to go more towards the bird's eyes and then towards the sea whether the bird was looking. I lighten the bird a bit today and it does look much better. I also cloned out the debris and it helped too. As for the flatness in the midtones of the water - I noticed that too. From the whole picture I think the water is what I'm the least happy with. Is there anything that can be done to it in post-processing? Thanks.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Beata, this image is really working for me, too!! Great stuff here, well seen. The heron looking away from us and out towards the sea is actually a good thing here! I'd probably only keep the main clump of vegetation in, just to clean up the frame's edges, but this is highly appealing. Well done.

[Jonathan Ashton]

A very eye catching image - compulsive viewing! I think the heron is a tad on the dark side. I don't mind the detritus on the beach, though ideally the central bit at the base would not have been bisected.

[John Robinson]

Welcome Beata- Excellent image creating a great sense of "being there"
You have the right camera too !!
Cheers
JohnR

[Sandy Witvoet]

A most unique Image! And, an excellent example of how the classic head-angle would likely detract from the overall impact. Love the feeling imparted here (waiting for "his ship" to come in.) The little blowing feather wisp on the head is a bonus too. Great comp!

[David Salem]

I like this one too!! Very good eye. The bird is a little contrasty, but that's what makes it stick out of the scene so well. The colors, techs and comp look perfect. This would make a nice print! Welcome and I look forward to more.

[Gianluca Molina]

Very very veryyyyyyyyyyyyyyy nice!!!!!

[Beata Bar]

Thank you so much for all the wonderful comments. This is the first time that I posted an image for a public review. Until now, I've only been given feedback by my friends/family and my photography mentor. Based on the feedback, I've remove the debris along the edge of the frame and lighten the bird a little. I've attached the modified version here. I have a couple more photos from that trip to Florida that I will try to post separately. Thanks again.