Floating Feather

[Granpix12]

I was at the lake watching the pelicans that had just arrived to stay here in Texas for the winter. There were quite a few of them sitting on a log cleaning themselves. After I while I noticed that feathers kept floating by. I took the picture of this feather, but the water was rather dull because it was very cloudy. However, when I got home, I went to Pixlr.com and hit auto fix. This is what came out. I like it because the colors are so much more vibrant. Please comment on how you feel about the pic and also on other possible fixes. Thank you.

[Shadowman]

Theresa,

Consider following these guidelines for posting an image. Help! How do I post images here?
For such an interesting image, more detail and a larger view will help you get more feedback.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Theresa,

The most obvious thought that comes to mind is that the feather is very central to the picture.

I know rules are sometimes meant to be broken, but have you heard of the Rule of Thirds?

I have put a link there for you to read about it, if you hadn't.

Cheers, Dave

[Geoff F]

This scene certainly has potential, Theresa.

I wonder if at the moment the feather is looking at little bit lost in all that water; but I wouldn't crop too tight either. Possibly lose a little of that bright area at the top and go to a different size ratio? If necessary you could take a 'balancing amount' from the sides although I suspect what you have now is about right.

[Mike Buckley]

Wonderful concept! I tend to like simple rather than complex images, so it's no surprise that the combination of blue and grey tones are a busy distraction to me. Consider converting to monochrome to simply the appearance of the water.

The most obvious thought that comes to mind is that the feather is very central to the picture.

That's one of the most pleasing characteristics of the image for me. Even so, the feather is located just a tad off-center, enough to ensure that the image isn't static. As for another wonderful image that positions the subject near the center, consider the winner of the most recent monthly contest.

[Granpix12]

John,

I thought that the maximum width was 700px. for an image that is directly uploaded. That is what I scaled the image to and that is why it is not larger. Thanks for your help.

[Granpix12]

Dave,

I have heard of that rule and unfortunately, it just didn't click in the moment. The feather was moving rather quickly and so I just got the shot. I agree.

[Granpix12]

Thanks, Geoff. I kind of feel the same way, that's why I really like the color correction pixlr gave. It gave the picture a little added something.

[Granpix12]

Mike,

I liked the simplicity of the feather floating alone on the water, but with the grey skies above the water seemed rather blah. I will try to convert to black and white and see how that works. Thanks for the help.

[Dave Humphries]

Dave,

I have heard of that rule and unfortunately, it just didn't click in the moment. The feather was moving rather quickly and so I just got the shot. I agree.

However, you can always crop in PP (Post Processing) Theresa.

With serious digital photography, clicking the shutter is just the first half of the entire picture making process, when you get the shot on the computer, then you can crop to achieve a better composition.

Cheers, Dave

[Granpix12]

Mike,

Here is a similar picture taken at the same time. I used the Rule of Thirds, as suggested by Dave, but also turned the pic into black and white. I'm usually all with the colors, but I really do like this look. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Granpix12]

Dave,
So true. I took both Mike's and your suggestion and replied to his post. Please see if this is more pleasing. Thanks!

[FootLoose]

I like the concept and I like the colours in teh first shot. I would clone out all the other little bits of flotsam, though.

[mknittle]

I like it. To me being close to center works for this image. also the clouds work to create a nice defuse light. Some times sun and water don't mix well for a Photographer.

[Mike Buckley]

I like the second photo but not just because the monochrome simplified the content. In fact, I might like the color version of it better. The simplicity of the photo is that the patterns in the water, unlike the first photo, are primarily diagonal lines as opposed to lots of circles. Those diagonal lines are going in the opposite direction of the diagonal line created by the feather. That use of simple diagonal lines is what makes the image work for me.

If you review the information about uploading, you'll find the stuff about how large the photos can be when using Tinypic. I don't remember what it is but it's a lot larger than 700 pixels. I always upload 1920 on the width and 1080 on the height.

[Granpix12]

Thank you! You are probably right about removing the other items. Unfortunately, I'm not very good at post processing other than cropping.

[Granpix12]

Thank you for your thoughts!

[Dave Humphries]

Theresa,

If you use Reply with Quote link under the appropriate post when someone posts a reply to you, we'll know which of your responses belongs to which member's post. (If you see what I mean)

I did this in post #10 above.

With regard to pictures - I do recommend you use TinyPic, but click "Go Advanced" before you press the big grey button.

Cheers, Dave