Magpie Goose

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Nature Photography Image Critique : One Thread

There were 6 of them on the log before I managed to get my camera into position. All flew away when my presence was sensed except this one who was more than happy to let me get a few shots and just when it was about to take off it gave me this last pose and then bye amigo...

EOS-1 EF300/f4l 2x converter Velvia f8 1/30 Helenvale, Queensland, Australia

-- Ivor Lee (ivorlee@vanderhorst.com), July 22, 1998

Answers

There is a space in your file name "Magpie Goose.jpg". The space terminates the URL in your img tag, which expects one continuous string. The way around this is to use %20 (the ASCII value for a space character).

-- Anil Mungal (mungal@ca.ibm.com), July 22, 1998.


Ivor,

What kind of 'critique' would you like to hear on this picture? I mean: what was your intention when you took the picture?

As a bird-portrait it really is too far off in my opinion, especially so because its envronment is extremely dull and apparently shows the 'hand of man'.

The picture itself was taken at the right moment: Not only is there still a lot of (blueish) light on the shadowside, so that you get sufficient detail there -if only you were a little closer.. You also captured the right move: a 'wing-leg stretch', a ritualized movement that can be seen in many birdspecies.

But alas, as a nature photograph this one does not very well. It only tells us you were there and saw the bird. As a European, I do not know whether this species is rare or common. Admittedly, for me its rarity would make a difference in my appreciation of the photograph.

-- Albin Hunia (hunia@dlg.agro.nl), July 22, 1998.


Albin,

It did not occur to me at the time of posting what sort of critique I want to hear. On the other hand, I prefer to hear whatever I could in the forum.

You are very generous. The 3 points you gave basically cover most of the areas one could expect out of a nature photograph.

As a bird-portrait, it is a candid moment of a bird. NO "hand of man" involved here. Dull may be if green is not a natural background setting for one to consider.

I agree that the subject is too far. Perhaps a little more background info and you may appreciate it. I was at the edge of the pond where the log hangs over and 300mm x2 was the best I had then. May be this is one point to consider when I shop for my next lens - 400/2.8 or 600/4 if I can afford.

Note taken here that I was merely there at the right moment but isn't this part of nature photography? I admit the composition is not very exciting but it would be worst if I had just taken the shot without some basic composition technique. The bird is not rare but native to Australia. Don't think you will see it in Europe as it is not known to be a great migratory bird.

Thanks again for your constructive critiques and I wish I could hear some from the regulars such as Bob, Sean, Don etc.

Cheers...Ivor

-- Ivor Lee (ivorlee@vanderhorst.com), July 22, 1998.


Try cropping off everything below the middle part of the branch. The branch tends to create 2 spaces with the bottom one empty. Then crop of some on the left side to balance it. Digitially blur the background more. The dark line formed by the hedge/hill in the background running through the bird is a problem as are the trees IMO.

-- Paul Lenson (lenson@pci.on.ca), July 23, 1998.

Moderation questions? read the FAQ