Moorhen

[Stuart Hill]

Here is a cute Moorhen moment I captured from an urban canal. Any critique welcome.
regards.
Stu.

Nikon D300, Sigma 500 F4.5
Taken F6.3, 1/800s, man exp, iso800

[Mark Schack]

Others can comment better on the technicals Stu but on the subject I would say very well done. The perfectly touching beaks, the symetry of the lilly pad and the reflection all work for me. Very nice

[Harold Davis]

man , that is great!! i love the interaction and the soft light adds some nice mood here. i'd crop off the pad on the bottom of the frame. it's adds even more intimacy without it. big congrats on this one!!!

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Stuart,
I like the intimate moment between Mom and chick...this is one sweet image...agree with the Doctor on cropping the Lilly pad on the bottom of the frame...looking forward to your next one...:cool:

[Rich Ikerd]

Sweet image Stuart - a most intimate moment perfectly timed. Ditto on the suggested crop - it will do nothing but strengthen the image.

[Ron Boisvert]

Hi Stuart,
Really nice job catching this moment with their beaks touching, and the little one on the lily pad!! The soft light is very nice. The capture is nice and sharp too. I agree with cropping or cloning out the foreground pad, and maybe the white line next to it. Maybe a little lightening around Mom's eye, if you like; it looks a little dark on my monitor.
I wish I had taken this shot. I like it a lot!

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Stuart,

Well done, this is a difficult shot with the dark subjects, nice job. I like the manual exposure solution, did you use a light meter and what was your metering pattern.

Great advise given on composition and lighten the eye area.

Nice moment in nature, exposure techs look good- one great picture!

[Ray Rozema]

Impressive capture of the moment. Low angle very good. Are those rain drops? they add the picture. agree add little light to the eye area Thanks for sharing

[Nick Palmieri]

Agree with recommendations. The main subject of this image is so strong that its tough to find distractors in this image. Very nice!

[Christopher Miller]

Like the image, Stuart. Very touching moment you captured. Agree with advice already given. Personally I feel all the spectral highlights are a bit distracting though just a little bit. Well done and looking forward to your next one!

[Alfred Forns]

Excellent image Stuart Difficult to get both in the same plane and all that shadow detail Just perfect

Would crop the bottom to zero in on the birds, reflection is no that strong. Big Congrats !!!

[Richard Waas]

I love the moment in time.... Agree with the tech advice. Congrats!!!!

[Thanaboon Jearkjirm]

Very beautiful moments captured, the touching beaks put this over the top. I agree about cropping off more at the bottom.

[Stuart Hill]

Thanks for the advice chaps. Will have a go at cropping that bottom pad/white line out/eye lightening.
Good to have other eyes look over the image, didn't even notice that line, though stands out a mile now you mention it!

I was using matrix metering. Took a couple of shots of adult moorhens perched close by and adjusted from them.

Agree about the little highlights, I'll have a go at these too.

thanks again.
Stu.

[Bob Miller]

Hi Stuart....very nice image. I agree with all advice given above. Would love to see a repost!

[Stuart Hill]

Thanks again for the critique. Looks a lot better losing that pad.

regards.
Stu.

[Ron Boisvert]

Excellent repost Stuart!! Very nice!!

[Ray Rozema]

Repost looks great