I've been trying to include interesting elements in some of my images, in addition to the bird. Here's one from this morning. I removed a few bright spots from the gray sand.
1/1600, f 5.6, ISO800
Canon mk4, 500 + 1.4tc, tripod
Very clean and elegant, I like the morning light, the plant and that we can see the entire shadow without obstruction. I would only remove the specular highlights on the beak.
I don't think I'd remove the highlight on the beak...if something such as this was really there to my eyes and it's not obnoxious...as in the entire beak being blown out, I'd leave it.
Lovely light Grace, and the plant does add interest. The orange of the legs and beak really stand out nicely, and if anything, I would maybe take a bit off the top.
Grace, the light is fabulous here. Your exposure has brought that out really well. The plant balances this one nicely. But agree with others that a little negative space from top can be cropped.
Thanks Everyone....I always appreciate your observations and ideas. I will look at my larger file and decide if the beak spots are sand or highlights and then consider what to do, and will also reconsider the neg space at the top.