Mute Swan

[Joseph Przybyla]

I captured this image early one morning at Lake Morton in Lakeland, Florida. Comments and critique welcomed and appreciated.

Nikon D7000
Nikon 80-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VRII AF-S ED shot at 290mm (435mm FFE)
1/640 F/11 Matrix Metering +1 EV ISO 1800 AWB, camera supported by a monopod
Post processed in Lightroom 6 and Photoshop Elements 10
Cropped for composition and presentation from horizontal

[steve torna]

Hi Joe, I see many shades of white including pure white which tells me that you nailed the whites in this image. I also appreciate the details in the feathers; I always struggle with maintaining detail in white feathers. I personally think that there is adequate detail in the blacks. I might try ever so slightly to brighten the eye. I also like the fact that the background doesn't sharply contrast with the subject; it makes for a pleasing gentle image. steve

[Joseph Przybyla]

I received an email from a friend of Randy Stout who drops into BPN from time to time suggesting an improvement to this image. Revisiting the image I thought his suggestion was spot on, to open the eye and add a catch light. Above is an edit and repost reflecting those suggestions.

[John Robinson]

Yes a nice gentle image. Grand tonal range in the whites
The eye is improved in the repost too.
Cheers
JohnR