Reddish Egret - The Dark Side

[Bob Blanchard]

I captured a really nice series on this fellow yesterday. Many of the usual poses and action images. This one, however, kind of caught my eye. He is, of course, doing the normal bit where they use the wings to cast a shadow in the water so they can see the fish. At this moment, I just caught him with his whole body in the shade he created....except for the eyes. I thought it was a cool capture, but that's my skewed opinion ;) To me, it has kind of a mysterious (almost sinister) look about it. I chose to leave the dark bar along the top of the crop to add to the mysterious look, but I'm looking at cropping it where the blue starts, and then taking some off the bottom as well. Lot's to play with, as it's a fairly sizable original. Thoughts?

Canon 1DsMII, 600mm f/4L, 1/800, f/4, ISO 200. Lying face down in the stinky mud (as usual :eek:)

[Ed Cordes]

This is a cool effect. The wing position is also good. I would consider a crop to eliminate the dark line at the top.

[Fabs Forns]

The thumbnail does not do this one justice. A very mood capture, highlighted by the lit eye. Ed's idea of the crop sounds good to me.

[Jay Tan]

I love the mood of this image! I think your idea of cropping off the black line where the blue starts is a good one. Worth a try. :)

[Jim Poor]

Hi Bob,

Very nice, unusual view. I think you're on the right track with cropping top & bottom. I'd take the top off to where the transition to dark is just starting, and the bottom to where the water starts to become sharp at the edge of the DoF.

[john crookes]

Maybe the top but i would leave the bottom for the virtual leg

[Bob Blanchard]

Here's a different crop. Not sure, but I think I like the original better. More impact IMO. What do you think?

[Jim Poor]

I like it this way better.

I think you busted the files size limit.