Juvenile Cormorant Preening

[Bryan Hix]

I don't know if this comp works or not. I like it, but it's not typical and I don't know if there are some kind of rules around cropping this way that I should be following. This was taken about 45 minutes to sunset, so I didn't remove the warm cast at all. I thought it was interesting to crop this way and I didn't like the platform the bird was sitting on, so that's why I went with this. Please let me know if I should keep, modify or scrap this one. Thanks.

Canon 1D Mk3
500mm f/4 with 1.4xTC
ISO 500, f/8, 1/640th
Manual, eval with -1 comp, but lightened bird in PP
PSE 7, sharpen, NR on BG, crop, cloned out double catchlight in eye

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I really like the preening, warm light and eye contact and might put the bird lower in the frame and add a bit canvas at the top. I would sharpen the bird more and the BG could go a tad lighter for my taste. Definitely not an image for the bin!

[Fabs Forns]

I love the light, except that the eye does not seem a green as they are. I agree on lowering the bird, maybe crop one inch off the bottom for a stronger composition. Can you lighten the eye a bit?

[Bryan Hix]

Ok, here's a repost. Adjusted crop, added top room, cut more off the bottom, lightened BG and eye, and added a bit more sharpening. Am I getting there? Here's the weird thing about the eye color: I have several close up shots of this bird and none of them show the greenish eye like I have seen in other photos of cormorants? Could it be that because it's a juvenile, the eye gets greener the older they get? I lightened the eye, but it appears in all photos that I have that it's more of a lighter tan color.

[Fabs Forns]

Much better, Brian. Not sure about the eyes in juveniles, I have some of chicks in the nest and did a crop to show you you may have a point about the eye color :)

[Connie Mier]

I really like the original post and I like the repost even more, beautiful pose. The feathers are awesome and I sure wouldn't want to see them cropped out more. The juvy's I see never have emerald eyes, they are quite dull looking in comparison to the adults.

[Ramon M. Casares]

I like the light, textures, detail and pose, I tad more USM and contrast might help IMO.
Congratulatons!

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I like the soft light and the pose. Great feather detail. Repost looks better IMHO. :)

[Keith Bauer]

Light on this is very nice. I like the repost. Very interesting pose and composition.

[paul leverington]

This would be a better composition I feel. But the original sure is sweet with all that feather detail--hate to see any of it disappear!!

Paul