Luminous Landscape Forum

The Art of Photography => User Critiques => Topic started by: RSL on February 07, 2013, 10:34:32 am

Title: Great Blue Heron in Fog
Post by: RSL on February 07, 2013, 10:34:32 am
You can come out of the corner now, Andrew. I cropped this one. Couldn't avoid it.
Title: Re: Egret in Fog
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on February 07, 2013, 10:40:26 am
Since you already committed a crime, then go all the way: clone out the area around the left wing, so that the floating thingies do not touch it. Also, I am usually a fan of vignetting, but here it is totally counterproductive.
Title: Re: Egret in Fog
Post by: amolitor on February 07, 2013, 10:46:14 am
That's fantastic. I love what the fog and the camera did to the wing feathers, just delicious delicateness. Really really nice. If I bought photographs, this would be shortlisted right now (but I don't, alas ;)
Title: Re: Egret in Fog
Post by: RedwoodGuy on February 07, 2013, 11:03:52 am
The photograph has great detail particularly in the egret. That's interesting. The exposure freezes the bird in a way enjoyed by some, but not all, as it tends to render the dynamic as static, but that's an artists preference. If it was a document about egrets, one might want the sharpest and most frozen image possible. If the intent was a photograph about the milieu maybe some motion would be desired. The viewer right here doesn't know the intent.

The content is well arranged, but oddly the interest doesn't hold too long for me. Nothing but the bird? I just don't find anything else to grab. And then there is the vignette. I wouldn't apply it to a photograph like this, and certainly not this dense. First, it tells me to ignore the b/g. That may be part of the reason my interest flags quickly. The vignette also is a style statement, and unfortunately today, that style reads "syrupy and romantic". I think just looking through this vignette makes the photo better in every way.

This would be successful for me without the vignette.
Title: Re: Egret in Fog
Post by: Justan on February 07, 2013, 11:06:44 am
An unusual composition for you and very nicely done.
Title: Re: Egret in Fog
Post by: nemo295 on February 07, 2013, 11:21:46 am
IMO, one of your best landscapes. And I think you can be forgiven for cropping.

As W. Eugene Smith once said, "The world just does not fit conveniently into the format of a 35mm camera."
Title: Re: Egret in Fog
Post by: Chairman Bill on February 07, 2013, 11:25:10 am
Looks like a Grey Heron rather than an Egret </pedant mode>
Title: Re: Egret in Fog
Post by: walter.sk on February 07, 2013, 11:50:36 am
Looks like a Grey Heron rather than an Egret </pedant mode>
I think so.  Or possibly a Tricolor Heron.  But either way, the mood captured makes this different from most bird pix.  Kudos!
Title: Re: Egret in Fog
Post by: Bruce Cox on February 07, 2013, 01:13:32 pm
The reflection of the tree sandwiched between the bird and its reflection works very well.

Bruce
Title: Re: Egret in Fog
Post by: Peter McLennan on February 07, 2013, 01:55:47 pm
This would be successful for me without the vignette.

I agree. Here, it's too obvious.  Usually, if it's noticeable to a normal* viewer, it's not working.

Other than that, it's lovely.  Especially the feathers details.  You can feel the wing stalling.




* whatever that means   : (  
Title: Re: Egret in Fog
Post by: Chris Calohan on February 07, 2013, 02:04:02 pm
Yummy but agree to at least dimming down the vignette.
Title: Re: Egret in Fog
Post by: RSL on February 07, 2013, 02:19:25 pm
Opinions vary. Situation normal. But I'm beginning to agree about the vignette. On the other hand, most of the left part of the vignette isn't a vignette. Also, looking closer, that isn't an Egret at all. It's a great blue. The tassel behind his head is the clue.
Title: Re: Egret in Fog
Post by: Riaan van Wyk on February 07, 2013, 02:30:38 pm
The fog is a welcome bonus to this Russ, the original vignette I also found too pronounced. So for me I prefer the last picture posted.
Title: Re: Great Blue Heron in Fog
Post by: RSL on February 07, 2013, 03:49:09 pm
Thanks Riaan.The fog was the reason I was out there. Any time I get up in the morning and see fog I grab my camera and go out on the river. I can shave, shower, and eat later.