Vertical Launch

There's a lot about this shot I don't like but something about it I do, maybe the unusual lift off. I couldn't bring myself to delete it so here it is. Osprey in the early morning, south Florida.

Very nice Steve!
Nice light and focus!

Well Steve you said there is a lot you don't like about this shot but the only nit to pick is maybe the tree in the BG, other than that its a wonderful shot. I kinda like the wing tip blur, gives it motion feel. I like it!

I don't mind the tree, & it's unusual & has that little bit of motion blur, so I like it, too.

Beautiful shot, Steve. I see that you have not lost the "touch" over the years. You always had the the ability to get the good shots. Well done!

Looks good to me. I didn't get a chance to shoot any osprey up close this fall during migration. Only got some flyovers.

Many don't understand how certain photographers "see" their own images and what they would consider a good one, a great one or one they would delete under normal circumstances. I find the tree in the background distracting and confuses what were supposed to be looking at or focused on.

That being said. I do like the lift off pose, the sharpness and the blur in the wing tips showing motion. Just my opinion...ultimately you as the photographer have to decide if you like it or not.

Even if it is not perfect, it is still a really good shot...Certainly worth keeping!

I'd say it's very well done, Steve.

Thanks everyone for the very nice and honest thoughts. The things that don't appeal to me in this image are the same pointed out by many of you. The longer any of us do this the higher we raise our standard, some by the other's work we admire and some by a standard self imposed. The latter is certainly influenced by the former. I prefer non-distracting backgrounds. I make an image with the intent of the subject having center stage. Ideally capturing character and traits associated with the species and/or with the behavior being presented. Anything, including a distracting background diminish the level of success. Some busy backgrounds can be artistic and bring strength to a shot, in tis instance it did not. I agree on the strengths of this one pointed out which is why I struggled to send this to the trash bin. It'll remain in my collection and slowly work its way down to the bottom , which is the case with the majority. I guess that's a good indication of progress.

Thanks again.

IraRunyan wrote in post #17784118
Beautiful shot, Steve. I see that you have not lost the "touch" over the years. You always had the the ability to get the good shots. Well done!

You're too kind Ira, thanks very much for the nice compliment.

Nice shot Steve.

Nice shot, love the look in the eye.

Loved the looks......the lifting pose is just superb.