Great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus)

[Jonathan Ashton]

Canon 5D IV Canon 500mm f4 L IS II + 2xTC III
Auto ISO 1600, 1/600 sec f8

ACR + PSCC

The red reflection in the water is the brickwork of an old bridge.

[John Mack]

Nice pose on the bird with a good reflection. Really like that color and pattern to the water.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Jon, I like the idea, but I just find it lacking in depth, both tonally and colour. I get the impression both Contrast & the Blacks have been reduce and you have this 'milky' range, where i was hoping for more 'dramatic' colours from the plumage and the brickwork reflection. I like the concept and the striking water, I just feel it needs a bit more oomph.

Any more at the foot, it's perhaps a wee bit tight.

TFS
Steve

[Arthur Morris]

Loverly image. Yes to a bit more contrast and deeper blacks and maybe a boost in Vibrance. The bird needs more room below the reflection.

with love, artie

[Arthur Morris]

ps: plus some Eye Doctor work on the pupil ...

a

[Daniel Cadieux]

Wow Jon, I really like this but I agree with Steve and Artie's comments and suggestions. Here's a repost that hopefully addresses these adequately. I deepened the blacks via burning the shadows, added a bit of contrast and saturation, and performed some eye doctor (on the iris, not the pupil). The added catchlight is matter of taste. Also more room below for the the reflection. Your OP is very beautiful, but as Steve eloquently stated, it needed a bit more oomph!

[Jonathan Ashton]

Ok, thanks very much everyone, my original was a conscious decision however you have made me reconsider, here's a little more oomph or as my dear old Grandpa would say thrutch!.... and just a tad of eye doctor work.

[Dorian Anderson]

I think the most recent image is really nice. Shooting angle is nice and really gave you a beautiful effect on the water. I like the popping color as well. Lot of space above the bird, and I would clone out the white thing down and right to the beak.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Jon, I still think you can be a bit more 'bolder' with this image. As I said to you, I like the 'graphic' environment, it's rather striking and therefore I feel you can treat it differently compared to normal captures. I would also go 16x10, loose a tad off the top.

[dankearl]

If you can take a bit off the top of the last one, it would be off the charts..
As is, just superb.

[Randy Stout]

Jon:

I often leave my loon images a bit lower in contrast than some folks prefer, because in the very subdued lighting I often shoot in, that is what they look like.
Having said that, I do feel that this one really benefits from the contrast boost. Because of the unusual water color, it has more of a dramatic feel to it, and the boosted contrast adds to that effect.

Cheers

Randy