European Roller

[Morkel Erasmus]

Another image from our trip to the Kruger Park in December 2009. European Rollers are summer migrants in South Africa.

Some might call for more space in front but I cropped from horizontal so as to put the eye on the thirds intersection.

Techs:
Nikon D300s with 200-400mm VR @ 380mm
f5.6 @ 1/2500 SS @ ISO-500

[arash_hazeghi]

looks sharp and nice Morjel, colors are warm and good. TFS

[Michael Hogan]

Nice Photo, lovely colours and great pose. I would disagree about crop. IMHO I think you need more space in front of the Roller. I find my eye being drawn to the large blue space behind its head rather that to the eye becuse the eye is too far right.

That said I wish I had gotten a good shot of one of these on my trip to SA :)

TFS

Michael

[Daniel Cadieux]

Hey Morkel, I agree with Michael's disagreement:). I have never once thought about placing the eye in the "rules of third" intersection, but rather always think of the comp as a whole and not worry about eye placement. In this case placing the eye in the way you did actually has caused a somewhat unbalanced comp IMO. In any case, if you prefer the bird in URC with this particualr pose you would need to have it smaller in the frame with more perch showing in LLC (again, IMO).

I like the rest of the image though, good exposure, sharpness, colours, pose, perch.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks guys

I rarely do a thirds placement by the book - but did it here as an experiment. The original image has a lot of space on the RHS and I will rework it later tonight...

[Harshad Barve]

We are waiting for them Morkelbhai , they will be here by August , this is very nice , sharp and nice colors
TFS

[Fabs Forns]

Very nicely exposed and good colors. I'd have placed the bird more to the left, simply because you have equal space behind its tail as in front of his bill.
Check this ancient compositional rule:

http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=66351

I'll be looking for the repost tonight.

[Stu Bowie]

Lovely natural colours, and I like the pose. Eye looks good, and although you have stated your reasons already, I would have moved him back to the left. Still, well captured mate.

[wendell westfall]

Morkel, another vote for an amended placement of the bird -- and of the praise for the beauty of your image.

[Doug Brown]

I've always loved images of Rollers, and you did well with this one; sharp and well-exposed. I do agree with the other about placement of the bird in the frame.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks for the comments guys - as requested...

[Fabs Forns]

Much better, Morkel :)

[Steve Canuel]

OP works for me Morkel (although I also like the repost). I like way the bird extends out the perch. The OP works for me because the bird seems to be glancing off to the side.

[John Ippolito]

Nice pose, colors and details, Morkel. I could go either way with the crop, but the repost has less tension and easier on the eye for me. Well done, and a lovely bird.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks for the feedback Fabs, Steve & John :)

[Harshad Barve]

Much better repost Morkelbhai
TFS

[Hilary Hann]

Morkel, I really like the repost best. Love the soft background and the natural, complementary colours you've kept in the bird. I like the fact that you were prepared to try a different crop as well, all good for the learning curve.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks :)