I recently entered this photo in the 2008 Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival and received first place. That said, I know every image can be improved in some respect. I was hoping the experts here can suggest ways that I can further enhance it. I am by no means a Photo shop guru and struggle to get a final product that compares to others I admire. I might add the printed version does display a wider dynamic range and with the whites not near as harsh as the compressed jpeg being posted.
Wow, Mike. Congrats on the well-deserved win. As I look at this, I might trim off the bottom to eliminate that messy water, and trim from the left to remove the part of the heron's wing that is now included. All the action is on the bird's eye and the frog, I don't think it would hurt to come in tighter. (I'm strictly amateur, so read my comments with that in mind.)
How did it end??
What a capture. Looks good to me. Only thought I had was rotation to get the lines in background horizontal. Of course that could give bird a bad angle so it's just a thought. Great timing. Love the frogs eye.
Great moment captured, as long as you are not a frog. :) I would crop a bit off the left so the wing is gone, apply some NR on the BG and there is a sharpening halo visible. To avoid this sharpen only the subject but not the BG. A lower angle would have helped to get a cleaner BG.
Love this image. I agree about cropping out the brown wing detail to put the eye on the frog and beak action. Congratulations on the win. Where did you make this wonderful image?
Jodys version is a humble improvement. Boy did you make out with this image. Hang it on the wall to look at every day. I can think of a lot of organizations that would benefit by seeing this hanging on the wall every day to look at first thing.
Thanks so much to all that offered their insights. I really respect the opinions of those whose work I admire. The exclusion of the wing was a point I have wrestled with. Will try to assimilate all your suggestions and sort them out.
This poor frog met his demise after probably a 2 minute struggle. I documented it from the hunt until the end. I have a few different photos from this series in which each can stand on their own, this is just the one I went with. At least the frog didn't give his life in vain.
Never Give Up
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