A trio of Nature shots

Got a thin skin? Then look elsewhere. Post a link to an image that you've made, and invite others to offer their critiques. Honesty is encouraged, but please be positive in your constructive criticism. Flaming and just plain nastiness will not be tolerated. Please note that this is not an area for you to showcase your images, nor is this a place for you to show-off where you have been. This is an area for you to post images so that you may share with us a technique that you have mastered, or are trying to master. Typically, no more than about four images should be posted in any one post or thread, and the maximum size of any side of any image should not exceed 950 px.

Moderators: Greg B, Nnnnsic, Geoff, Glen, gstark, Moderators

Forum rules
Please note that image critiquing is a matter of give and take: if you post images for critique, and you then expect to receive criticism, then it is also reasonable, fair and appropriate that, in return, you post your critique of the images of other members here as a matter of courtesy. So please do offer your critique of the images of others; your opinion is important, and will help everyone here enjoy their visit to far greater extent.

Also please note that, unless you state something to the contrary, other members might attempt to repost your image with their own post processing applied. We see this as an acceptable form of critique, but should you prefer that others not modify your work, this is perfectly ok, and you should state this, either within your post, or within your signature.

Images posted here should conform with the general forum guidelines. Image sizes should not exceed 950 pixels along the largest side (height or width) and typically no more than four images per post or thread.

Please also ensure that you have a meaningful location included in your profile. Please refer to the FAQ for details of what "meaningful" is.

A trio of Nature shots

Postby marcotrov on Sun Apr 23, 2006 11:11 pm

For once this week end I took time out to take some photos with the break in the weather up here :)
First is a Sunbird caught early this morning after getting back from Palm Cove taking some beach landscapes(which I will shortly post for comment :) ). Taken in a hurry as they were darting around just enough time to whack the 80-400VR on and on board fill flash handheld, not the sharpest but opportunistic nonetheless.
Image
The second and third are a couple of macros taken after the sun had risen this morning(Sunday) with tripod and the 150 f/2.8 HSM Macro trying a few DOF and composition plays.
Image
Image
As always critique and comments most welcome.


cheers
marco
marcotrov
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2577
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2005 2:21 pm
Location: Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Postby avkomp on Sun Apr 23, 2006 11:18 pm

the first shot is a wonderful shot of the bird in its environment.

very well done.

Steve
check out my image gallery @
http://photography.avkomp.com/gallery3
User avatar
avkomp
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2485
Joined: Sun May 29, 2005 8:47 pm
Location: Bendoura NSW - Nikon D5

Postby NikonUser on Sun Apr 23, 2006 11:23 pm

I agree, the first one is great. Is that it's tounge sticking out or a twig?

Second one doesn't do much for me as the two OOF blades in the BG clutter the main subject.

The third is very nice. Simple with a great BG

Paul
http://www.australiandigitalphotography.com

Living in poverty due to my addiction to NIKON... Is there a clinic that can help me?
User avatar
NikonUser
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1064
Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2005 6:18 pm
Location: Canberra - **D2X**

Postby daniel_r on Sun Apr 23, 2006 11:31 pm

I quite like #3, silky background and nice and sharp where it needs to be. The water drops finish it off nicely. Well composed and well done!
D.
Daniel_R's Flickr gallery
I shoot with Nikon stuff.
User avatar
daniel_r
Senior Member
 
Posts: 749
Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2005 1:58 pm
Location: Canberra, ACT.

Postby marcotrov on Mon Apr 24, 2006 12:00 am

Thanks Steve, Paul and Daniel for the comments. Yeah Paul that is the Olive-backed Sunbird's tongue. :wink:
cheers
marco
marcotrov
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2577
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2005 2:21 pm
Location: Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Postby huynhie on Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:23 am

Your first shot is great. The colour of the sunbird really stand out in that photo.
User avatar
huynhie
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1476
Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2005 12:11 pm
Location: Sydney

Postby Finch on Mon Apr 24, 2006 10:11 am

Macro,

Yep, love that first shot heaps. Nice composition and a gorgeous setting amongst the flowers. Sunbirds are such quick movers and you have done really well to capture this beautiful shot.

Cheers

Michael
User avatar
Finch
Senior Member
 
Posts: 720
Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2006 3:49 pm
Location: Keperra, Brisbane

Postby wmaburnett on Mon Apr 24, 2006 11:07 am

amazing color and sharpness, !
~William
Nikon D70s, Nikkor 18-70 3.5-5-6 DX AF-S, Nikkor 80-200 2.8D ED, Nikkor 60 2.8D Micro, SB-600 Flash, Kingston 1GB CF card.
Http://www.WBurnett.com
wmaburnett
Member
 
Posts: 249
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2005 7:00 am
Location: Minnesota, United States

Postby marcotrov on Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:50 pm

Thanks for the kind comments Huynhie, Finchand William. They are difficult birds to capture and I only had time to rattle off threeimages none of which were really what my mind's eye had in store. But hell I bet we all wish we collected images just as we imagined them :)
cheers
marco
marcotrov
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2577
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2005 2:21 pm
Location: Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Postby stubbsy on Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:16 pm

Marco

#1 is just superb- all those lovely primary colours. One to print and frame.

#2 is just too simple. Not enough to hold my interest

#3 I really like, but think a judicous crop from the top may give the image a little more balance (at present the huge amount of green dominates the flower too much).
Peter
Disclaimer: I know nothing about anything.
*** smugmug galleries: http://www.stubbsy.smugmug.com ***
User avatar
stubbsy
Moderator
 
Posts: 10748
Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2004 7:44 pm
Location: Newcastle NSW - D700

Postby marcotrov on Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:51 pm

Yeah, Peter, I had toyed with another crop too.
How does this look?
Image

Cheers
Marco
marcotrov
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2577
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2005 2:21 pm
Location: Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Postby stubbsy on Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:28 pm

marcotrov wrote:Yeah, Peter, I had toyed with another crop too.
How does this look?
Image

Cheers
Marco

Yep - I like this much better, Marco
Peter
Disclaimer: I know nothing about anything.
*** smugmug galleries: http://www.stubbsy.smugmug.com ***
User avatar
stubbsy
Moderator
 
Posts: 10748
Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2004 7:44 pm
Location: Newcastle NSW - D700

Postby nito on Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:32 pm

In contrast to peter, I like the second shot for its simplistic nature. That would be my keeper and framer. Shot 1 needed slightly more DOF.
nito
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1109
Joined: Sat May 14, 2005 11:24 am
Location: Gladesville, NSW

Postby marcotrov on Mon Apr 24, 2006 10:09 pm

Thank you Nito for your comments.
It always amazes me how differently some people view images. What appeals to some fails to appeal to others. That's what makes this forum so great it forces you to think outside both your zones of comfort and familiarity. It only works to improve your photographic vision IMO, it sure helps me :)
cheers
marco
marcotrov
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2577
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2005 2:21 pm
Location: Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Postby Slider on Mon Apr 24, 2006 10:33 pm

Marco,

The 1st is brilliant. A beautiful capture.

I also like the 3rd. Clean and simple. Very nice. :D
Cheers
Mark :) http://www.photographicaustralia.com
http://www.trekaboutphotography.com

He who dies with the most lenses wins...
User avatar
Slider
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1767
Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2005 8:17 pm
Location: Pumicestone Passage, S.E. Qld

Postby blacknstormy on Mon Apr 24, 2006 10:33 pm

Marco - I'm with Nito on this one -I love the simplicity of the foliage shot.
and the off-centre focal point works really well in this image :)
Rel
Dodging and burning are steps to take care of mistakes God made in establishing tonal relationships! -Ansel Adams

http://www.redbubble.com/people/blacknstormy
User avatar
blacknstormy
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2745
Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2004 3:33 pm
Location: Ipswich Qld

Postby marcotrov on Tue Apr 25, 2006 1:34 pm

Thanks Mark and Rel for the comments. It's interesting people's differing tastes. I like all three for different reasons but I do have a soft spot for the second even though I didn't achieve exactly what I pictured in my mind. :)
thanks all for the comments. It really does help to improve one's skills
cheers
marco
marcotrov
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2577
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2005 2:21 pm
Location: Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Postby mudder on Wed Apr 26, 2006 9:24 pm

The color in the bird shot is striking, it's luminescent, luminous, ummm, really vivid :lol: ... Good nature image... Looks like you caught a great moment too, with his tongue poking out... Did you offend him ???

Really like the third image too, terrific seperation between subject and background, tempted to crop just a smidge off the top, seems a little top heavy to me... Not much, just a smidge... Bit close to the right hand edge...

The simplicity of the image is what makes it work so well, well done on this...
Aka Andrew
User avatar
mudder
Senior Member
 
Posts: 3020
Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2004 5:58 pm
Location: Melbourne - Burwood East

Postby marcotrov on Wed Apr 26, 2006 10:27 pm

Mudder said:
The color in the bird shot is striking, it's luminescent, luminous, ummm, really vivid ... Good nature image... Looks like you caught a great moment too, with his tongue poking out... Did you offend him ???


More likey laughing at me I was so keen to get to the action before he decided to bolt that I tripped on the dogs toy and nearly ended up head first into the pool fence :lol:
Thanks for the comment and suggestion mudder :)
cheers
marco
marcotrov
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2577
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2005 2:21 pm
Location: Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Postby flipfrog on Thu Apr 27, 2006 4:56 pm

that third image is so simple but so powerful
love the green bokeh and the sharp white flowers

amazing image
User avatar
flipfrog
Senior Member
 
Posts: 626
Joined: Mon Jan 24, 2005 8:33 pm
Location: Vancouver Canada


Return to Image Reviews and Critiques