Heron - keeper or trash can?

[DouglasRC]

What intrigued me about this scene was that the heron was in an unusual positon (at least to me) and that, somehow, found that this old rusty pipe was a good resting place. I'm not keen on the composition, but I do like the contrast of the heron's colours and textures against the rusty pipe. Any and all criticism much appreciated.
Cheers,
Doug

[LeoLeo]

Doug,

I'm not deleting any of my pictures. At least for me, "wrong pictures" are better teachers than succesful one.
Maybe a lower angle, or a different focal lenth ... from where I am, blue herons are not familiar, so, I don't have any sense of scale, but I do like the colours and textures.

Leo

[xalupa]

Thumb up for this, i'd keep it.

bye.

[Steve S]

I think it is a keeper. I would leave a little more room on the left if possible. It is a very unusual position and a very different background.

[Frankie]

I like this! The contrasts are really good, and it is unusual for a Heron. I agree with Steve about leaving some space. Right now, it's hard to know that it is sitting on a rusted pipe. If there is a way to show that by giving more space on the left ... especially to show where the shadow goes... it would add more to the scene.
Still a great capture and a keeper!
frankie

[tihsgod]

yes thats nice.. more room would be a lot better. otherwise looks good.... neil

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Doug,

Definitely a keeper, but as others'; with a bit more room on the left ideally.

I've not seen one in that position before

Cheers,

[Kris V]

Definitely a Keeper!

[jamn4ex]

keeper. I love the curve of the pipe and texture of the rust. very interesting. of course I am biased towards the big birds.

[DouglasRC]

Doug,

I'm not deleting any of my pictures. At least for me, "wrong pictures" are better teachers than succesful one.
Maybe a lower angle, or a different focal lenth ... from where I am, blue herons are not familiar, so, I don't have any sense of scale, but I do like the colours and textures.

Thanks for the advice Leo. I couldn't get a lower angle as I was on a pier looking down, but this is something I need to keep in mind as I tend to shoot upright too much, like most amateurs.
Cheers,
Doug

Leo

[DouglasRC]

Thumb up for this, i'd keep it.

bye.

Thanks for the vote of confidence Xalupa -- it keeps me working at it.
Cheers,
Doug

[DouglasRC]

I think it is a keeper. I would leave a little more room on the left if possible. It is a very unusual position and a very different background.

Hi Steve. Good advice, thanks. I believe I did crop too much. I'll work on that.
Cheers,
Doug

[DouglasRC]

I like this! The contrasts are really good, and it is unusual for a Heron. I agree with Steve about leaving some space. Right now, it's hard to know that it is sitting on a rusted pipe. If there is a way to show that by giving more space on the left ... especially to show where the shadow goes... it would add more to the scene.
Still a great capture and a keeper!
frankie

Thanks Frankie. Very good advice. I'll post the uncropped version.
Cheers,
Doug

[DouglasRC]

yes thats nice.. more room would be a lot better. otherwise looks good.... neil

Hi Neil. I see a consensus building here. I think everyone may have found the answer to my discomfort about the composition.
Cheers,
Doug

[DouglasRC]

Hi Doug,

Definitely a keeper, but as others'; with a bit more room on the left ideally.

I've not seen one in that position before

Cheers,

Hi Dave. Thanks for the positive feedback -- this was the first day with my new lens (100-400 mm L).
Cheers,
Doug

[DouglasRC]

Definitely a Keeper!

Hi Kris. Thanks for the encouragement -- much appreciated.
Cheers,
Doug

[DouglasRC]

keeper. I love the curve of the pipe and texture of the rust. very interesting. of course I am biased towards the big birds.

Hi James. The rusty pipe caught my eye almost more than the heron; it seemed a good combination. It's good to be biased towards the big birds I'm now going to post the uncropped version and hopefully that will be better.
Cheers,
Doug

[Ollokot]

Hi Doug,
A keeper,I'm intrigued by the birds sitting position as I have never seen one rest like that.I wonder was the Heron wounded or is it that this fellow has a unique way of taking the weight off it's feet.
Best Wishes,Pat

[jiro]

This shot makes more sense to me. For one thing, the uncropped version gave me an idea as to what was so unique about the birds' position and the background. On the first cropped version, I was really puzzled about the background. I thought it was a very dirty sea and the heron was floating on it. Only upon close inspection did I notice that the background is a solid piece of material... and rusty.

Being candid with you, I'd say it might not be a winning shot but it is a keeper for me. A keeper because it is unique. you don't always see a heron resting in his belly. In my opinion, you can still work on some adjustments on this one to make it more appealing. We learn more from this kind of shots because we analyze. The first step is to take pictures of what caught your attention. The second step would be "too consciously frame the shot to make it a good image". kind regards, Doug.

[DouglasRC]

Hi Doug,
A keeper,I'm intrigued by the birds sitting position as I have never seen one rest like that.I wonder was the Heron wounded or is it that this fellow has a unique way of taking the weight off it's feet.
Best Wishes,Pat

Hi Pat. Here's one of him standing. He's in a kind of slough created by a long breakwater that was constructed to protect the pier (where cruise ships dock, about 100 ft away). I'd rather not think about what the pipe is doing there. He's obviously comfortable in his somewhat strange surroundings. I've never seen one lazing the afternoon away and not on something like this. Usually, I get the standard shot of the heron patiently waiting for dinner to float by.

Thanks for you the encouragement.
Cheers,
Doug