Reddish Egret

[Karm Redland]

Comments welcomed.



karm

[FrankMi]

Hi Karm, I find this image to have a bit of tension. The Egret is well defined but stagnant compared to the water. The water is dramatically active but out of focus so it is taking my view off the Egret but then it's disappointing that the water is so blurred.

I think the image of the Egret would benefit from a less dramatic background. If you had the water any sharper it would totally overpower the Egret IMHO. On the other hand, if the Egret was active, the background wouldn't matter as much. Am I making any sense at all?

[Karm Redland]

Hi Frank. You make perfect sense. Here's the reason behind the shot. These birds literally freeze while walking and looking for food. I took this picture during one of those moments when this egret was frozen in its stance. The image you're looking at it is pretty much what I saw.

However, I understand your observation and I think it's really insightful (at least for me). Thanks.

Karm

[FrankMi]

Hi Frank. You make perfect sense. Here's the reason behind the shot. These birds literally freeze while walking and looking for food. I took this picture during one of those moments when this egret was frozen in its stance. The image you're looking at it is pretty much what I saw.

However, I understand your observation and I think it's really insightful (at least for me). Thanks.

Karm

I understand. I think I might try for a much lower shooting angle, more at the height of the bird's eyes, then wait (if possible) for the surf to be receding so that it can be further behind the DoF and owing to the shooting angle, much thinner.

[Downrigger]

Hi Karm, I find this image to have a bit of tension. The Egret is well defined but stagnant compared to the water.

I too think this is a helpful analysis - at first I didn't get it, but it sunk in after going back and figuring out what happened when I looked at the photo. Something to try to keep in mind. But a nice image nonetheless, just maybe better if that wave was sliding away.

[Brownbear]

Nice image. Beautiful detail.

And I have learned something new from Frank's analysis, description of tension.

[Karm Redland]

Hi Frank, yeah, I think a lower shooting angle might have solved the issue you're raising. I was (obviously) above the egret when I took the shot. This is a case where it would have been impossible for me to position myself at a lower shooting angle.

karm

[Karm Redland]

Christina and Mark, thanks for your comments. Mark, yeah, when I also first read Frank's comment I also didn't immediately get it. However, once you see it then it makes sense. Christina, that's why I post images to this group: insightful feedback.

karm

[Wavelength]

I liked the image very much.... i also liked the strict evaluations by Frank sir

[jamn4ex]

I like this image, and I am glad Frank was able to explain why my eye kept getting pulled up in the image. I think a background blur would help my eye from straying.

[Karm Redland]

James, thanks for commenting. I'm going to try and redo this image's background.

karm