Bluethroat

[Krijn Trimbos]

Hi all,

This is a shot I took during spring while I was in Friesland for fieldwork. To get this shot I first learned about its flying route and then waited for about 4 hours until it showed up finally to give me a glimpse. Unfortunately I didn't have a hide so this was the closest I could get.

I have had real problems with this shot, I like the pose and the light, but I have had difficulties cropping it. This was the most to my liking. I tried vertical cropping but then the bird is centrally positioned. In this way (horizontally) I could position the bird a bit more likable to the eye, however I am unsure about the habitat BG on the LR corner as it might look distracting to some.

I hope you can let me know what you think and if you would have other suggestions for cropping. This is about 80% of full frame (I cropped all around), and I toned down the reed it was sitting on.

Thanks for watching,

Canon EOS 50D 1/1250 f10
ISO 400
Canon 300mm F2.8 L USM + 2x Converter

[Dan Busby]

Personally, I like the composition you chose Krijn. The bright blue throat and eye catch light keep me focused on the bird. Very nice.

[Kim Rollins]

I enjoyed seeing the bird and the story behind the capture. Good go!
It looks good as is.


I think just a bit more canvas on top and tightening it up by cropping off the right would work too.

[Randy Stout]

Krijn:

Your bird is excellent, tack sharp and well exposed, nice angle in frame. I like the background in general, but don't think the OOF foreground elements on the right add a lot.

I know you tried a vertical already, but do think that some variation on a vertical is your best bet.
I would be tempted to crop in from the right to eliminate the two large OOF tan shoots coming in from the RLC, and consider cloning out or toning down the darker element at the bottom of the frame on the right.
I would then adjust my cropping a bit on the left to get a good balance of the bird in the frame.

Ah, the joys of cropping.

Cheers

Randy

[Randy Stout]

Krijn:

I tried a couple of crops.
With the material at hand, this was what I came up with. If you do have more below, I would add to move the bird higher in the frame. My crop is too square, but I think you can make it better with more below.

The darker material in the RLC might have potential as a counter balance to the tall perch he is on, so I might try working with that a bit too. At first, I thought just to remove it, but I would try a couple variations with it intact.

Randy