Willet
Until somewhat recently it's been a few months since I've shot anything and posted on here, hoping to change that. :D Here is a photo from a while ago, while I like the coloring I'm undecided on the composition. Any thoughts, critiques are appreciated, thank you.
Compositionally, the plant life on the LH side balances the bird on the right. The mud line and plant almost strikes a perfect diaganol from corner to corner, framing the bird in the smooth water. I think it works, though I think it works a little better with the top cropped off to put have the top of the plant end in the top LH corner. Try scrolling the screen a bit to look at it cropped like that. It makes it a bit of a pano... not the typical 2:3 or 4perspective... but places the bird's head about on the upper LH 1/3 intersect. Either way I think it's a nice image. Very peaceful, relaxing colors.
This indeed does have a relaxing mood to it. I like the inclusion of the environment, the background, details and sharpness of the bird looks good too. Just wish that the reflection head didn't get cut off.
Bob and Thanaboon, thank you for the feedback. After scrolling on the screen it does look like cropping the top would add a lot. I am a little disappointed about the head getting cut off in the reflection and wasn't sure if that imperfection was too powerful in the image, to the point of distracting from everything else, but I think cropping would help to strengthen everything else in the image and lessen that distraction. Thank you again for the help.
I don't think the cut off head in the reflection was too power, as when I view the image my focus was still on the bird itself. It would be better (at least to me) if the reflection didn't get cut off, but the image is already good as it is :D, look like a keeper to me.
Might try this crop posted below Reflection is not strong and there is a lots of thing in the water. Would also clean out some of the mud/small rocks
Do like the feel to the image and water looks just great !!!
Thank you Alfred. I wasn't sure if there was a general rule or practice for not cutting off reflections with the framing?
Last edited by Kurtis Diffenbaugh; 02-23-2010 at 12:32 PM. Reason: typo
Will cut to taste, generally when the reflection is not strong just cut it out, if you leave it might want to do some local changes to enhance !!!
Okay, that makes sense, thank you. I'm going to work on cleaning up the water and see what kind of localized changes I can make with Lightroom.
I'm going to go somewhat against the master (so keep in mind the novice source) and state that I wouldn't clean up much in this image. I think the environment adds to rather than distracting from the subject. There are a few leaves sticking out there that seem to be floating in mid-air and a few of the rocks that are a tad distracting, but that's about as far as I'd go. Additionally I wouldn't crop out the reflection because by doing so you loose the strong diaganol line which I think is a key composition element in this image. With a little patience one could probably "complete" the reflection of the head in photoshop if it really bothered them.
Hope you don't mind but here's a peek at how I'd crop and clone this image:
Bob, I definitely don't mind. That is pretty similar to what I was thinking. From looking at each cropped version it seems by cropping the lower portion I would lose some of the elements in the photo that appeal to me and that also provide balance. Thank you again and to everyone else that has taken the time to help me with this.
i prefer al's repost just because it's a cleaner, simpler composition. i also like the exposure work he did with it.
nice base image, kurtis! love the warm, soft light.
Harold, thank you for the feedback and comments. It's going to be a tough call, everyone's provided great feedback. (Btw, I really like your webpage's title image/icon with the fish.)
thanks!!!Originally Posted by kurtisdiff
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