Ready to attack

[Roy Churchill]

I am never quite sure how to crop these shadow shots - what do you think?
Thanks for your critique.

Camera: 7D
Lens: 300/2.8
Shutter Speed: 1/1600
Aperture: f4
ISO: 400
Metering Method: Manual
Support: hand held

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Roy Treat the shadow just like the base image !! I would include if its strong and contributes to the image .. if not just crop it out !!

If including, include the entire shadow as you did here and if you need to crop, crop in a logical place just like you wold on the base image.

For this would like to go without the shadow, it is not strong and would like seeing more of the base image. Lots of shadow detail, sharp and whites look pleasing !!!

[Dave Mills]

Hi Roy, Nice job on this. Agree with Al regarding the shadow. I cropped out the shadow and saw the strength of the image increase.Good job on the techs. This is a subject you don't often see a portrait of....

[Bill Dix]

Great job on the whites and blacks, and a fantastic eye. I would deep six the reflection.

[Peter Farrell]

Excellent detail in the blacks and whites. The eye looks great also. At this tight crop I think the reflection is slightly overpowering.
Peter

[Lance Peters]

Hi Roy - all good advice above - think I would prefer it without the shadow as well.
Good job on the exposure - techs look solid. :)

[WIlliam Maroldo]

I don't know if you guys across the pond call reflections shadows? Hum.:confused: Anyway, if this is anything like our Coots, which look remarkably similar, is it prepared to attack a bunch of vegetation? :):) Anyway, good detail in the whites and blacks, which is no easy task! I'd say keep the reflection, or shadow, or whatever you call it. Good job. regards~Bill

[Roy Churchill]

Thanks for the feedback on this one guys. I always knew that the reflection would be a point of issue - I tried cropping it out a bit but in the end I figured that the full reflection looked better than just half left.

Bill: the bird was indeed about to have a go at a rival. I watched a group of these for a couple of hours and whenever two got to close to each other one would adopt this low crouching position and swim quickly before starting the 'running on water' charge. Most times the bird being charged at would back off but on occasions it stood its ground and a fight occurred.