Egret

[Lance Peters]

Think I am safe from the HAP - fingers crossed.

D3
Sigma 300-800 with 2 X converter @1150mm
F11
1/160TH
+2.0EV
800 ISO

Wasn't sure about cropping out the brown strip at the top - sort of like the way it works with the rocks to frame the image.

Comments welcome.

[Jodee Novak]

Okay, Lance. I'm going to try this. I usually read everyone else's c/c and then add my own, either agreeing or disagreeing. But I'm going to try some of my own, original thoughts...hope you don't mind!

I like the placement of the bird in the frame - and the negative space around him, especially to top and right. Also like the rocks on the bottom - they sort of "anchor" the bird, and add contrast and a little "punch" to the image.

Not positive if I'm right on this, but I would still have liked to see the head angle with a bit more turn towards the camera. I would also like to see the image without the brown strip on top - seems distracting to me. Image looks a little soft on my monitor - could be my monitor, though. Would also love to see a little more "pop" to the image - it looks a little washed out to me - would like to see more details in the whites, a little more contrast between the bird and the BG, and a little more vibrancy (???) in the yellows.

Now, if I was as good as you, I could tell you how to make all that happen in PS - but, as you may remember, I still haven't learned PS - although took Alfred's suggestion and purchased a Scott Kelby DVD and book so that I can begin to learn.

Hope you don't mind that I tried my hand at c/c. Now I'm anxious to see what the experts have to say!

BTW, thanks for all your wonderful reposts of images in this forum. You do a wonderful job and are a providing a great opportunity for us to learn about optimizing images!





I

[Lance Peters]

Opps - did forget to sharpen it.

[carole wiley]

I do like this image as presented except for the black strip at the top. I love that the bill and eye area are the only splash of color and think this would be very attractive if I could stand back and look at it. I like the slightly open bill a lot.

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Hi Lance, looked soft on my monitor too - much better second time around!!! I agree with Jodee completely about the brown strip - it does nothing for the image IMHO. Without this I think that the image would be very serene and quite stunning!! I'm with Jodee also in wanting the bird to 'pop' a little more, although it looks better having been sharpened.
Regards, Nicki

[Cheryl Flory]

Lance, I think your adjusting on the repost really helped your image. It brings out more of the details in the white especially. I love these birds. I like the head angle and the wind in the feathers. Perhaps bring out the face even more, and if you can lighten to bring out some details in the legs and rocks too. Perhaps if you darken the water, that would make the bird stand out more too.

very nice image!

[Lance Peters]

Thanks for the coments everyone - still waiitng to see if the HAP say anything - would really like to get a handle on the perfect HA.

I also thought it may have needed a little bit of CCW rotation ???

[Arthur Morris]

I am fine with the head angle as is, but see Jodie's point as the head is still slightly behind the neck which is in a slightly odd postion. Much better sharpened. I am fine with the dark strip at the top as it balances the rock.

You are, however, under arrest by the Rotation Police. If you look at the rocks, you can see that this needs some CCW rotation. Do you know how to determine the exact amount using the Ruler Tool? And the rest of you who missed the tilt are also under arrest. El Capitano.

[Lance Peters]

Hi Artie - :) ------ I did pick that one myself - in the post previous to yours. No I dont know how to work out the exact amount using the ruler tool - but I am guessing there will be some help in the educational resources forum.

:)

[Lance Peters]

I do now- thanks to the ER forum.

:)

[Jodee Novak]

Wow, Lance - that repost is great!! And Nicki is right - the sharpening actually makes the bird "pop" and brings out more detail. Really love it. Didn't see the the CCW rotation issue before but do now - thanks for pointing that out, Artie. Looking forward to seeing a repost with the rotation corrected. Great job, Lance!

[Cheryl Flory]

But if ccw and level out the rocks, then the horizon will not be level--if you are keeping the horizon in the image. But your eye is drawn to the rocks though more than to the horizon.....so is that why you level the rocks instead?

[Arthur Morris]

I do now- thanks to the ER forum.:)

Glad that you found it; saved me the time! Speaking of time, the reason that I did not see your mention of the need for rotation above is that in an effort to work quickly and efficiently when critiquing I often has as many as ten to 12 windows open at time so that I do not have to wait for stuff to load. Thus, when I do get around to commenting there may be comments that I do not see. In your case, I can offer low bail due to the extenuating circumstances.

[Arthur Morris]

The dark area at the top also needs some rotation. At times, distant shorelines are actually angled a bit. The rocks need to be square to the world.

[Gus Cobos]

Hey Lance, my buddy from the land down under...:D;):p:p:) How are you doing? I like your composition as presented. I would get rid of the dark line on top. No nits from me; I know that you forgot to sharpen before posting...Its happened to me on several posts...:o congrats my friend, on a job well done...:cool:

[Harold Davis]

hehehe, BUSTED!!! you got busted by the man!! love the image, mate!!! repost looks awesome. this is one of those simple yet elegant photos!!! sweet job!!

[Lance Peters]

Harold :) Got low bail due to extenuating circumstances :) everyone else is till in Jial ..LOL :)

[Oscar Zangroniz]

Hey Lance, great image. Nice composition and contrats. No nits from me other than the one's mentioned.
Regards