Feedback appreciated

[Clovishound]

This is an image I took this morning. I like it, but not sure the best way to edit it. Here are a couple iterations. I have no issue with honest opinions about. Just don't say anything bad about my cat.

Here is the slightly cropped full aspect color version.

Here is a panoramic style aspect ratio version in color. This AR seemed more appropriate to me due to the long thing line of birds and their reflections. It also got rid of the stuff at the top of the image that I thought added nothing positive.

Here is the same version in B&W.

I'm not sure about whether the background is the right density. I went up and down with it several times and this was the best I could come up with. I've also thought about removing all the spots in the water. It's actually stuff on the water, so I left it. It would be a bit of work to remove all of it, and would result in a cleaner image, but I'm just not sure I should do it, or whether it would be worth the effort.

 

[blackstar]

I like the original one for its natural scene attraction.

 

[hark]

I like the original but find the blue to be too dark. Do you use either Lightroom or Camera RAW? Both of those programs have a Luminance slider for each main color. You could try moving the blue luminance slider to the right which would lighten it a little.

And if it was my photo, I'd attempt to work on the reflection. Sometimes I find the clarity slider in LR/Camera RAW can add a pleasing edit to it.

 

[Clovishound]

I lightened the blue, twice, in LR, and it still looks about the same when posted here.

 

[hark]

I lightened the blue, twice, in LR, and it still looks about the same when posted here.



View attachment 416070

This looks less saturated than the original. If you used the slider in LR/Camera RAW, I hope you chose the correct one. The saturation slider is right next to the luminance slider.

 

[Clovishound]

Yes, I am familiar with where it is. I went ahead and pulled it down to a little lower than I thought would be the lowest I would be happy with. To me, this looks too dull.

 

[Lisa Zee]

I think the reflections would look less distracting if they were blurred, and it would make the birds stand out more. I like the photo

 

[Clovishound]

I think the reflections would look less distracting if they were blurred, and it would make the birds stand out more. I like the photo

 

[Peter7100]

The fact that you ask for opinions makes me suspect you are not that happy with it yourself. You normally post stunning images every time you upload something and to be honest if your name was not on it, I would have never guessed it was one of yours. So honestly, for me it's reaching your usual standards, sorry

 

[Clovishound]

The fact that you ask for opinions makes me suspect you are not that happy with it yourself. You normally post stunning images every time you upload something and to be honest if your name was not on it, I would have never guessed it was one of yours. So honestly, for me it's reaching your usual standards, sorry

No need to apologize. I asked for honest feedback, and that is what I want. Sometimes I have an image that has an element or elements that appeal, but just seems to lack something. Sometimes it can be overcome by editing, and sometimes it just belongs in the digital equivalent of the round file.

I appreciate your candor as well as the kind words.

I find I always learn something from these feedback threads, regardless of whether the image has promise or not.

 

[Woodyg3]

I would do a crop somewhere between the two, if it were mine. I'd also try increasing exposure a tad and maybe bring up the whites a bit. The whole image looks a bit dark for my taste. I like the head on view of the birds, and it's a nice composition.

 

[blackstar]

Take the liberty to download your original (I hope you don't mind) and run with my old free version of Topaz AI Photo to get this:

 

[nikonpup]

I LIKE THE BW PHOTO - BUT THE REFLECTIONS IMO ARE TOO MUCH OF A DISTRACTION. LOOKS LIKE THE BIRDS WERE CRASHING INTO THE WATER.

 

[Clovishound]

Blackstar, I don't mind at all. I guess I was going to the dark side, because that was the mood of the area for most of the morning's shoot.

This was one of the first shots I did when we arrived. While the avocet picture above was taken later after the sun was up, and things were much brighter, the mood lingered in the mind.

Here is a combo of several of all of your suggestions.

 

[billpics]

I, too, downloaded the pic and edited it as if it were mine. My photography education began in 1971 using 4x5 cameras and sheet film. It was essential to buy a set of liquid Spotone tints and superfine brushes in order to touch-up B&W enlargements for assignments. And, spot touching is a practice that has carried over into my digital workflow.

So, that said, I removed a number of distracting spots in the foreground water that detract from the pristine feel of birds in flight, and some distracting highlights in the reflections of the trees above the birds, darkened the trees a bit, boosted the reds and yellows a small amount, and cropped a little maintaining your aspect ratio. If your project was documentary in purpose, then I would show restraint.

But, you did a marvelous job capturing the birds in flight and in focus, the composition is well thought out, the natural color is inviting. I admire nature photographers like yourself who can do this type of thing. It's not a skill that I've ever been able to do at all. Your pic is very nice, and I hope I've caused no offense in editing.

 

[Clovishound]

I remember the Spotone bottles well.

Again, I have no problem with someone editing one of my posted images to show their thoughts on how it should be edited.

OK, here's another iteration.

 

[BF Hammer]

I think we have 7 cooks telling you at the same time you have too much salt and use less salt in your broth.

Follow your heart Clovis and make the image all yours.

 

[Woodyg3]

FWIW, I like your "combo" edit. Of course, it matters most what YOU like the best.

 

[Clovishound]

Well, the whole point of this was to get some different opinions. I believe that I like this last one best. I'm not real big on radically modifying a photo, but on occasion will do so. This version brings it down to the single thing that drew me to it, the juxtaposition of the different bird images, each with a different wing position. Everything else was just a distraction.