It Might Have Been Great...

[wtlwdwgn]

If only I'd zoomed out a little more and got the whole reflection! (sigh)

[Shadowman]

Yea, probably but be willing to settle for what you did capture or look for an opportunity to recreate.

[Brownbear]

I think it is a great photo! Beautiful light and colour. Yes, the full reflection would have been icing on the cake but still beautiful.

[deetheturk]

Lovely capture Steve!

[chauncey]

There are no rules that say another shoot taken with the reflection blended to this one isn't allowed.
Recall one of my doves that is the result of about ten different images blended together into a 30"image.

[John 2]

Nothing wrong with that Steve. It's a very nice image. Very often in shots like this, including all of the reflection puts the subject on the centre line and that doesn't always work compositionally.

[Wavelength]

Excellent; but beheaded reflection is sad

[bnnrcn]

Hi Steve , I like the details in the image and IMO reflection without the head makes the photo a bit odd. Why not cropping half of the reflection, the image might look better

[Mike Buckley]

Why not cropping half of the reflection, the image might look better

Exactly. Crop a little below the shadow in the reflection and you have a wonderful image with no need for apologies.

[wtlwdwgn]

Thanks to all for looking and the feedback. I'll try cropping the reflection and see what I get.

How's this then?

[Mike Buckley]

Much better, Steve. Sorry that I forgot to mention that the image also seems a bit underexposed and would benefit from a bit more mid-tone contrast.

[bnnrcn]

Yes, better and IMO you can make it even better by cropping just a little more to eliminate the little narrowing curve at the very bottom part of the reflection. That little curve draws attention

[Mike Buckley]

That little curve draws attention

Great eye.

[wtlwdwgn]

Thanks for the feedback. I am a reluctant to crop any further because I want to keep the negative space on the right. I'll give it a try and see what happens. Okay, I think this is better.

[Mike Buckley]

I'm confident that Binnur is recommending (and I agree) that you crop a little more at the bottom to eliminate the distracting curve. Doing so won't affect the negative space at the right.

[bnnrcn]

IMO you cropped too much Steve,I actually meant something like this Mike. I left some of the bright parts in the reflection so that it could add to the composition. Sorry for touching the image without asking for your permission but I thought it would be better to show what I meant. If you don't like it, just let me know, I will remove.

PS: I have just noticed as long as that narrowing bright part is eliminated as you have already done , all crops work fine anyway. Just choose the one to your taste,lovely bird

[Mark von Kanel]

Hi Steve, dont be so hard on yourself, its a great image as it is. We all have one of these hears mine!



and heres the "make do" crop!



does that make you feel any better?