Great Blue Heron Landing

[Ian Anderson]

I took this shot earlier today at St. Marks NWR. Overall critique welcomed, but I have a couple of specific questions - I didn't notice the dragonfly until I opened it up in Photoshop - should I keep it or clone it out? Also, do you think I should fill in the gaps in the palm fronds on the far left side of the frame? It seems a bit distracting.


Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/640
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
AE lock ON
Exposure Compensation 0
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 400.0 mm

[Jim Fenton]

Works great for me....

I might make the oranges a bit brighter and I love the dragonfly at the bottom!

[Bill Dix]

Lovely! Great wing spread, bird position, color and comp. I would vote my preference for keeping the dragonfly, and removing some of the gaps in the palm fronds. Nicely done.

[Myer Bornstein]

Very niceI would keep the dragonfly gives a sense of perspective

[Robert Amoruso]

Given the Dragon fly is recognizable, I say leave it. I would also go with filling in the gaps. Nice wing spread on the GBH.

[Troy Lim]

I like the shot...I would suggest sharpen it a just bit?

[Ian Anderson]

Thank you all for the nice comments - I think I like the dragonfly as well. I may punch up the orange and Troy, it may seem a bit soft because Smugmug is scaling it. I just joined BPN and will use the attachment feature going forward for a better representation of the final image.

[Connie Mier]

Beautiful shot, I like how you framed it. Personally, the dragonfly doesn't add anything where it is. But if it were my image, I might be inclined to move the dragonfly closer to the bird just for kicks.