Critisims/Advice?

[Meerkat17]

http://www.btinternet.com/~David.Lewins/photos/swan001.jpg
I took this today whilst out walking my dogs - I only got one shot at it and I like the overall picture. However, the one thing that concerns me is the gap between the swan and the reeds too wide?

Regards
David

[mvrekum]

The picture in fact is good as it is and by the looks of the swan it wouldn't get any better at that moment :)

Over the years I learned to look at the things I photograph in areas and shapes. In your picture I see a big oval on top and two circles underneath it, 3 mayor areas which are all seperated from eachother and equally large. One of the areas should at least cover half of your image, in this case the circle with the swan. Next, all shapes should overlap eachother a bit.
A step to the left and forward (if you dare) and bending through your knees I think would have helped here. That way the top of the bush would not have stopped at the horizon, but would have overlapped the air and the swan would have touched the bush. Also the swan would have been larger, making it a more prime subject.

Ok, that's my humble opinion. Hope it helps you a bit.
Martin

[G3]

I don't see a thing wrong with this photo. Looks good to me.

Very nice image.

[OviV]

I like it quite a bit.

[Meerkat17]

"If I had Dared!" LOL
The reason the swan was acting like that was because one of my dogs was barking at it (He's young and not seen a swan before) He ran off so I quickly snapped the swan whilst it still had its wings partially extended.

Thanks anyway for the advice Martin - I do see what you mean about the step forward and left - I'll try and think a little quicker next time :D

David

[stopbath]

I think that the swan is much too close to the corner of the picture. The bird is almost at the edge. A little more centered or closer to the thirds lines might improve the shot (sadly can't be fixed by a crop...) I think the gap between the bird and clump of grass is fine. I never noticed the grass hitting the horizon...

The defensive pose (puffing oneself up) is great. The exposure of the white feathers is good too (texture evident.)

[iwatkins]

Nice shot. I never get that close to swans :shock:

If I did have to say something I would suggest that the horizon, actually the water is not level. Nothing a quick bur small clockwise rotation won't fix though.

Cheers

Ian

[Meerkat17]

http://www.btinternet.com/~David.Lewins/photos/swan002.jpg

Thanks Ian and Stopbath for the further comments.

I've cloned a small amount to the left side, pushing the bird further into the picture and rotated the image slightly to even-up the edge of the pond.

The reason why the swan was close to the edge is that one of last years cignets was close to her. I initally had to clone a few bits of that bird out of the picture to begin with.

Regards
David