Critique Please

Please give your opinion before leaving - I'm really trying to improve and ALL tips are appreciated.

1. More room in front, less in the back. Maybe next time try a lower angle if you can.

2. Too centered. I like the eye contact but placement in the frame is not ideal.

3. Too tight up top. Whites are hot on the back but I like the eye contact.

These are my opinions and the thoughts that came to mind when I viewed each one. This is also not the place for critiques of images...this is just mainly for sharing so some may not offer up real critiques. I did because you asked and I'm being honest....I also feel you should filter through everything you read from critiques and go with what YOU like because each person has a different view on what they see or like to see in images.

And to tell you the truth...what we as photographers like no way reflects what the paying public likes...I've never figured that one out yet because what I would normally delete they want to buy.

#1 is my fave, but maybe increase the blacks or contrast? to bring out the water a little bit more. Did you shoot in RAW?

Lou.

Thanks both of you!
Duane - I put them here as I thought that the critique would be more appropriate, I'm a big fan of most of the work here.

I did shoot in Raw and will make some changes - thanks!

Duane and Lou - thanks for the feedback. It really helps to hear comments on these photos and well, any of my photos. The "nice" or "it's great" from the family (and sometimes this board) doesn't help me improve. Just backing the crop off or adjusting the location can improve a shot and it something that I would like to do a better job at both ends of this hobby. I really welcome all opinions and I'm a big boy - if someone bashes - I can take it...


And Duane - you aren't kidding about the paying public part!

Thanks again.
Ken

Duane nailed what I would have told you. Not sure how much leeway you had with your crops, sometimes you're forced into those situations. The exposures look good and the shots are clear. Those long crops like the one you posted above are extremely tempting because of the reflection. I just can't ever seem to keep them that way because of the length of the frame.

Ken - too funny! I was out there this morning too! Kind of an odd place for her to build a nest with the way that water goes up and down......are you sure we are not brothers from another mother! LOL! What lens are you using??

IMAGE LINK: http://imageshack.us …ges/571/img6784​edit1.jpg/

Paul! - I keep looking for ya! 100-400 and 7d is what I have. I shot the Sand Hill and then my first ever Tanager - and I mean first that I've ever seen! I then went to the loop by the office and spent an hour chasing the Indigo's. What time / days do you usually get out there?

I couldn't figure out why she was there either. Traffic, water level, etc...

Pretty good shots; any critique I'd have would pretty much mirror what Duane said earlier. In the reflection shot of the SHC, I'd suggest trying to get it on the right side of the frame, so that it's facing into the frame rather than out of it.

Generally speaking having your subject looking/moving across the frame is preferred; but, as Duane mentioned..take any of this with a grain of salt, compared to what you prefer.

They're some damned pretty shots anyway I really like that reflected Sandhill.

Thanks Snyde - It really helps when folks chime in. Even as simple as moving a crop! The advice and opinions are always welcomed. Thanks again to all of you.

I echo what Duane said about the place for criticism. So, remember to ask for it if you want it. I'm still learning so please take this for what it is worth.

You might consider changing the AF point to match the location of the eye once you have a sense of composition. I feel doing so increases the strength of your composition and gives you greater crop flexibility.

Another thing you may want to do is go for a smaller aperture, maybe something in the range of 8 - 11. It will increase your DOF and therefore overall clarity of the main subjects. Boosting ISO may be essential to being able to do this.

Keep up the good work and keep posting.

Thanks Lil - and I have enjoyed and welcomed what Duane and everyone has posted. I'm going to try your AF idea, especially on some of the bigger birds. Where should I go / post for critiques from time to time? I put it in here as these are birds - sorry if I did it wrong.
Ken

950 wrote in post #12407933
Thanks Lil - and I have enjoyed and welcomed what Duane and everyone has posted. I'm going to try your AF idea, especially on some of the bigger birds. Where should I go / post for critiques from time to time? I put it in here as these are birds - sorry if I did it wrong.
Ken

Ken, please, by no means take my thought about the wrong place as an admonishment. It is meant to help you get the biggest return on your post. That is why I mentioned asking for it if you want it when you post in Birds.

There are two places within the forums where you can post to readily get critique; Critique Corner and Bird Talk. If you do not get what you want there, then what the heck! Try Birds just like you did. In my mind it is not a broken rule unless a mod tells you so.

No problem at all Lil - just didn't know and wanted to do the right thing. Thanks again!