Help needed #3

Swartzy · April 10, 2007

Poised Elegance

Nik suggested a different placement in the frame. I too considered this when cropping. The detail of reflection behind the loon's back and the pool of disturbed water on the right I believe is necessary as that makes the pose that more dramatic. Which do you like better? Here is a different crop:

Ideas, comments, suggestions? Thanks in advance.

pyroPrints.com · April 10, 2007

I really like it. Not sure if it's picturesque, but it sure is purty =c)

ChrisJ · April 10, 2007

Wow, great capture! The more I look at it, the more photogenic and picturesque it looks to me. Most portraits really speak the former to me, but with the wings, it really brings out the latter. Excellent detail.

Nikolai · April 10, 2007

David,
There are few things about this shot that keep me on the fence..

Pros:

great capture of the moment
"pose" is definitely "elegant"
very nice colors
with great pattern on the bird
DOF, exposure and focus are spot on

Now, the other part :-(

shot is dead centered, which makes it kinda boring
with all its technical excellency it bears the look and feel of a snapshot Maybe simply because of the centered composition

I hope I'm wrong on the last two (but at least I swear I'm honest:-)

HTH

Swartzy · April 10, 2007

Thanks Nik.....
Yes, I've been thinking about this very thing as I've looked at it...fortunately, I can recrop...thought about the centering thing when was doing it.....going for a new comp......will repost...thanks again.

Tessa HD · April 10, 2007

that's great,
I prefer your second one since it's off center. i think it's picturesque. what a beautiful bird and i love the effects in the water.

tessa

LiquidAir · April 10, 2007

That's a beautiful shot. I love the way the texture of the water echos the bird's wings. I actually like the centered shot better because I think the symmetry features that similarity well.

My understanding of Picturesque is that it is aesthetic in between classical beauty (think Michelangelo's David) and the gothic grotesque (Strikeslip's cottage shot in the entry thread is a stunning example of this). IMO, elegance is classical beauty rather than picturesque beauty. That, I realize, is a rather narrow definition of picturesque. Does this distinction matter for the competition? Got me...

, but in the case of a great shot like this one maybe not.

ChrisJ · April 10, 2007

With this shot, the center composition doesn't bother me at all. It tells me the bird isn't really going anywhere, just floofing (is that a word?) its wings. The offset seems to imply the bird is going to enter that space. I like 'em both.

Nikolai · April 10, 2007

Swartzy,

Swartzy wrote:

Yes, I've been thinking about this very thing as I've looked at it...fortunately, I can recrop...thought about the centering thing when was doing it.....going for a new comp......will repost...thanks again.

I like the new crop better. I would even crop a bit more from the bottom (first bright band) and just a tad more from the right.

Another idea maybe to go boack to the 1st image and crop from top/left, thus showing the disturbed water behind the loon and creating strong diagonal movement intersecting with the wings and thus creating a very strong focal point.

Also, it somehow looks flatter, maybe give it a bit of DavidTO's "pop" medicine...

Nikolai · April 10, 2007

LiquidAir wrote:

...gothic grotesque (Strikeslip's cottage shot in the entry thread is a stunning example of this). ...

You don't say. The moment I saw it I was like "wow, darn, this is good"...

Swartzy · April 10, 2007

Thank you all!
I have to agree with those who like the centered shot better as that's my gut instinct...what I saw when originally processing. Since the loon is at an angle along with the reflection, pose and lighting....I threw out the infamous rule as it to my eye works this way best. The first also is a bit "closer", hence bigger in the frame.....but......wait....Nik showed me some light! How's this?

I see exactly what Nik is seeing (except for the 2nd one being flat, as that actually has a bit more pop than the first....heh, you should see the layers Nik

). Soooooo........Liquid Air......If I thought about stuff like that

Wow, I learned something new, again. Thank you kindly for the kind words & comments.

What a great bunch! I sincerely appreciate it.

System · April 10, 2007

Beautiful capture but I'm struggling to put it into the context of the topics for this round.

Swartzy · April 10, 2007

Truth.......

truth wrote:

Beautiful capture but I'm struggling to put it into the context of the topics for this round.

The Loon is a unique bird and sometimes called "The great diver". It's beauty is oddly unique. It is Minnesota's state bird and this particular capture within the context of late day light, demonstrates the picturesque theme...even if only in my mind. This pose is indicative of the loon's nature & mating habits, making it that much more.......picturesque.

Annie222 · April 11, 2007

Swartzy wrote:

The Loon is a unique bird and sometimes called "The great diver". It's beauty is oddly unique. It is Minnesota's state bird and this particular capture within the context of late day light, demonstrates the picturesque theme...even if only in my mind. This pose is indicative of the loon's nature & mating habits, making it that much more.......picturesque.

Not only do I learn about photography here but wildlife as well!! I really like it and agree t fits picturesque perfectly.

Help needed #3

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