This is my first post here. I am trying to improve my photography skills and hope you guys will leave some comments and/or tips that will help me do that.
This photo was taken in the Netherlands on a somewhat cloudy last summer. It was taken from a hide. Photography equipment: Canon EOS 30D, Sigma 50-500 mm at app. 400mm, F11. Slightly cropped, but not much, because I removed a strip of green at the top of the image.
Comments and suggestions welcome! Thanks in advance...
Welcome, Inge. This is a very nice first post. I like the pose, angle and BG. As a horizontal I might put the bird a little bit further to the right. It would also work as a vertical. Keep them coming.
First welcome to BPN, I hope you enjoy the place! :)
Lucky you to have captured such a beautiful bird. Exposure looks good, the background is nice as well. I think only a little crop off the right side would be all I could suggest here as well. Good job and hope to see more!!
I love the posture of the bird, and the colours of the bird against the background.
For me the idea of sending the bird more to the right / centre would remove the dynamic created by the space, so can't agree with Axel.
Thanks to everyone for the replies. It's funny to see you guys can't seem to agree on the compostion. :) I couldn't make up my mind about that one myself!
The reason why I chose this composition, is because I always like to give the subject some "space". A direction it might have been moving into, or just because it was looking in a certain direction. For some reason, I usually don't like very tight framing, unless I am really focusing on some detail, as might be the case with a portrait kind of photo. (Try that one with a kingfisher! :) )
As these birds are very skittish, I put up my camera in this position, which was the "safest" bet for me. I didn't dare move my camera after that. If I get another chance, I will try a vertical composition, to see how that turns out.
Great image! Not going to comment on the techicals as everything looks good. I see from some of the other commentors that you are using too much negative space. I could not agree less! Your composition is very strong, and your use of negative space (which so few people are willing to try, and even fewer understand) creates a tension in the image - ?Is he about to fly off? ?I wonder what he's looking at? This bird is a predator and all predatory species are very aware of their surroundings. He is also a free, totally wild creature. It would be a shame to see him confined to a smaller space. Keep up the good work, and don't fall into the "stay inside the box" trap.
Alcedo Atthis / Kingfisher
