For Gus Cobos

[Colin Knight]

Hi Colin,
I like the image and capture. You have good color rendition and fine feather details, I also like the multi - colored background...a few points to consider...the bird is tight in frame, you need to add more canvas to the right and more to the bottom for the feet...the head angle is off, the bird needs to rotate his head CCW and an upward tilt, because he is looking down...would recommend selective sharpening the eye...looking forward to your next one...:cool:

Gus, you posted the above critique in response to my image in this thread:
http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=48979

On the way back from my duck blind this morning, I had the chance to recreate the image. As you know, that's rare for wildlife photographers! The lake was very calm, a big change from last time. The colors are better, less green and some deep, beautiful red. However, the heron's expression isn't as intense. I told the heron your instructions about CCW head rotation and "chin up", and he graciously complied.



Kayak, Canon 50D, 500mm f/4 + 1.4x 1/800 sec f/5.6 ISO 400. Added contrast, sharpened.

Colin

[Lance Peters]

Hi - Awesome BG- LOve the colours, sets MR heron off very nicely. Looks like you have headed gus's fine advice :)
Looks good - I might just sharpen the eye a tad - head area looks a little soft, sharpening the eye will make it appear sharper overall.
Also there is 1 bright yellow spot in the BG - if your personal ethics allow it I would tone it down or clone it.
Draws the attention away from your subject.
Good show :)

[Colin Knight]

Thanks, Lance! I'll probably lose that yellow spot. I was debating it, but now it's got to go.

Colin

[Bill Dix]

Nice capture, color and composition. Glad he listened to Gus' advice. Removal of the yellow spot and some sharpening will really help make it pop. I might even try a slight burn of the bright spot near the chest. Nicely done!

[Colin Knight]

Thanks Bill. It seems this image and the previous one have been very well received. It will make a nice print.

Colin

[Harold Davis]

i read this and this makes me happy!! gus should be proud and so should you. very well done. that red bg is awesome!!! there's an unwritten rule that compositional elements, such as the perch, should not enter from a corner. be curious to see what others say about that. thanks for making my day. with some of the negativity going on in the world around us, this sure is a feel good story!!!!

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Colin,
You sure make me proud...good show on this one...Mr. Heron looks good, a handsome fellow indeed, proud, tall, with his chin up and a killer head angle...I like it very much...now to send it over the top, you need to loose that yellow spot in the background and just touch up the eye with a wee bit more of sharpening, very little...:D The background is sweet and showcase Mr. Heron quite well...looking forward to your next one...keep them coming...:cool:

[Colin Knight]

I'm glad it made your day, Herold!I didn't know about that compositional rule. That may start to annoy me as I give the image the final look over before printing. =) That's for the input!

Thanks Gus! The eye sharpening has been completed and that yellow patch is gone (not updated here). Thanks for the help with this one!

Colin

[Thanaboon Jearkjirm]

Very well done here, glad you listen to Gus advice and manage to capture a beautiful image. Really like the color in the background, the pose with both feet visible is good too. I also like how the bird is standing near the end of the perch.

[Colin Knight]

Thanks! I can't wait to get this one to the printer!

Colin

[Alfred Forns]

... your doing great from the boat Colin !!! Excellent pose and sweet bg !! The only other thing you can do is just sit there and wait for more poses Got a wall hanger !!!!

[Colin Knight]

Thanks Alfred! These comments mean a lot considering the sources.

Colin

[Kyle Marie Barcelos]

Really nice image, love how you placed him in the frame and the BG is awesome. The head is a bit soft for my liking other then that great job. :)

[Colin Knight]

Kyle,

Something I've noticed about GBH is their feathers are more silky in texture on their heads/necks. This leads to a less sharp image in appearance due to less "feather detail" to resolve. Am I way off track here? What do you think?

Colin