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| Group |
Round |
C/R |
Comment |
Date |
Image |
| 15 |
Jul 25 |
Reply |
Hi Doug - I actually felt the colors were a bit intense and dialed vibrance back a bit thinking the brighter colors might not be believable. Hah - guess the joke's on me. I'd never seen Wood Ducks up close until the trip I took this past May. I was on a boardwalk so I couldn't drop to eye level without startling my "prey", but I do understand the value of shooting at eye-level when possible (Even keep a foam kneeling pad clipped to my belt for just such a purpose and use whenever feasible). Now I'm actively looking to shoot all ducks - with my Canons, of course! ;-) |
Jul 23rd |
| 15 |
Jul 25 |
Comment |
Thanks for your kind feedback, everyone! I never had interest in ducks until I shot Wood Ducks this spring. I had no idea they could be so colorful and finely detailed. But now I'm "on the hunt!"
|
Jul 23rd |
| 15 |
Jul 25 |
Comment |
Isaac - This shot could be on a flyer advertising trips to Galapagos Islands for photographers. Sharp and finely-detailed, with both birds engaged in an important parent-chick ritual. Your close crop and shallow depth of field focuses all attention on these two birds.
One optional - but really unnecessary - suggestion for your consideration is that since the light is flat, you might play with spot-adding some gentle warmth to the foreground enhance your subjects even more. |
Jul 22nd |
| 15 |
Jul 25 |
Comment |
What a fascinating and exciting interplay between these two species, Gerhard - Nice capture! While I agree with Doug and Isaac's suggestions tightening the story, I appreciate the need to present nature images as they occur. Here you've told the whole story where the white-backed vultures are coming at the Marabou from three sides. Viewing your image on both of my on my screens - with the Marabou in stronger light and the darkest mud on both outside edges - gives the suggestion of a slight vignette on the vultures. |
Jul 22nd |
| 15 |
Jul 25 |
Comment |
Nice capture, Gloria! Well-cropped and tack-sharp to highlight feather details. We can even see the pupil in this Gannet's eye, as well as the impressions where its legs fold into the sides of its lower abdomen on its streamlined body. I can only imagine how hard it must be to locate and lock in a flying bird from a moving deck with the R5/RF100-500 (I have the same setup but only used on land so far). |
Jul 22nd |
| 15 |
Jul 25 |
Comment |
Nice one, Jerry! Some things are worth the wait - I hope this Snowy Egret was rewarded for its patience and nailed the flip. But I've waited hours with my camera ready, in wait for a big move that would make a great shot - only to give up so I could get home for MY dinner ... or before absolute darkness. ;-)
You've cropped your well-exposed image to succinctly tell the story of this bird's dilemma. Only suggestion I would consider would be to make the shrimp slightly lighter so more detail shows. |
Jul 22nd |
| 15 |
Jul 25 |
Comment |
Hi Sarita - A stellar shot of Grebe parent and chicks! I do agree with Doug that the upper background could be darkened slightly to make the birds stand out even more. Doug's other suggestion to get lower would be good - if it were possible. However, I had the same issue recently shooting muskrats from a boardwalk above the water - although I do carry a foam kneeling pad clipped to my belt for such situations, there was just no way to move and get any lower without scaring my subjects away. |
Jul 22nd |
| 15 |
Jul 25 |
Comment |
Awww Doug - Nothing to say but CONGRATULATIONS! Right subject, right moment, right settings, right PHOTOGRAPHER! This is cover shot material, for sure! Maybe Living Bird, or Audubon or Nature Conservancy calendar cover?? I suspect you've got a few more on that hard drive, too. Can't wait to see more!
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Jul 22nd |
7 comments - 1 reply for Group 15
|
| 36 |
Jul 25 |
Comment |
|
Jul 22nd |
 |
| 36 |
Jul 25 |
Comment |
Thanks to all for your comments and suggestions! I've made 2 edited versions for your feedback:
- Edit 1 follows Larry and Michael's suggestions
- Edit 2 includes all above except the left-hand crop.
Thoughts??
PS - I took this road last week on the way down to Sundance Resort from Park City Utah for lunch with a friend. It was hot, pretty green & very sunny! |
Jul 22nd |
 |
| 36 |
Jul 25 |
Comment |
Hi Barbara - Wow - What a lovely spot! I can just hear that stream and feel the humid air on my face! Your stream is velvety-smooth and your forest is sharp and clear. Your moss and spring-green trees look right to me - except along the upper edge of the bridge where the color looks somewhat cool compared to the rest of the forest greens. For your consideration, I've suggested a slight adjustment of the TEMP slider with a little tug to the right. Also, I slightly toned down the right-hand side of the bridge, removed the log on the far right shore, and suggested a higher bottom crop for a more intimate look at at your scene. |
Jul 22nd |
 |
| 36 |
Jul 25 |
Comment |
Hi Larry - Well worth the hike! I really like this composition - and your accompanying story. Sadly, I never made it to Hanging Rock although my son went to school in Asheville for 4 years ... I love the color and texture to the rock, but feel the white-ish rocks on either side of the small tree look out of place (newly broken?) Perhaps tone them down or yellow them up just a bit? Also, the trees seem a little dark, soft and out-of-tone with the alpenglow of the rock- could they be slightly lightened, warmed, and textured or sharpened? Or perhaps the trees were cut off by a cloud that blocked the last sun rays? I like the stronger pink in the sky - a nice offset that adds drama to this image. And kudos to you for keeping a flashlight handy as this image truly says "Lights out - soon!" |
Jul 22nd |
| 36 |
Jul 25 |
Comment |
Gee Michael - I wasn't far (as the crow flies that is) from Monarch Pass this July. I spend several weeks in Colorado and Utah every summer and often face the same dilemma. Monarch Pass (like most Colorado Passes) is truly beautiful. It's sooo frustrating to stand in the presence of such a majestic mountain range with my camera, but not be able to capture that "sense" of majesty in a photo. As I travel, I see beautiful views but rarely have the time to stop and wait for the clouds or sunset to develop or the wildflowers to bloom for me.
I agree with Larry that a good foreground helps make a photo stand out. If the foreground is good but won't fit in the viewfinder, consider taking a series of verticals and stitching them in Lightroom Classic. I've had good luck with this technique.
Many people replace the sky which can help a lot (not allowed in some PSA competitions). That option might require some lighting changes to the primary scene as well. Something I've been meaning to try - but haven't yet done. |
Jul 22nd |
| 36 |
Jul 25 |
Comment |
Hi Gokul - I like your tighter crop which puts more focus on your subject. If you use Lightroom Classic, the DEHAZE and HIGHLIGHTS options can help lessen glare when a polarizer is not used. I also would consider further cropping, or darkening the white reflective water at the bottom, to focus more attention to your main subject. The cool thing about Lightroom is that you can use the CREATE VIRTUAL COPY function as many times as you want and edit each copy differently without impacting your original image. So you can try as many edit options as your imagination allows. About polarizers - there are some (used to be called "warming polarizers") that only reduce light by 1/2 or 1/3 of a stop to reduce possible noise in darker conditions / high-contrast conditions. |
Jul 22nd |
| 36 |
Jul 25 |
Comment |
Hi Adi - You tell a compelling story here - the dramatic clash of ancient and modern worlds by contrasting the strong, beautiful ancient architecture with the hustle-bustle, bright and fast-moving modern culture. Even the wires hanging against the old architecture and the old-looking street vendor's cart that sports contemporary, brightly lit offerings, clash with the architectural history of this place. Brave you - to set your tripod in the middle of this busy street! I agree that the image would benefit from straightening the verticals, but think you've captured a poignant commentary of modern life in this ancient city of Jodhpur. |
Jul 22nd |
7 comments - 0 replies for Group 36
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14 comments - 1 reply Total
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