Welcome to DPC. Congratulations on the great finish in a FS.
I love the negative space and the stillness you have captures with this image. I agree with spiritualspatula that a bit of cloning on the branch near the bird's head would have added a bit to the composition. Looking forward to more of your submissions.
Thank you all for your awesome comments and very helpful suggestions! I am excited to have joined the DPC family and learning more about taking and editing my photos!
Great bird shot. I would say that the halo on the tail in the shadow is noticeable, but to me, the branches interfering with the bird's head is more troublesome. To quote Zack Arias, "head in a clean spot." It's wildlife, so it may not have been possible, but right to the side to skirt this. Or, really, I think at least the bit going through the bird's head could be cloned. This way, it would actually add to the composition. In any case, a nicely seen shot, the vignette works well, but the bird/branch beard is distracting.
This is an absolutely stunning image. I am particularly awe struck by the fact that this is only your second challenge and do earnestly believe that we will soon be seeing your images bearing ribbons.
This is a wonderful capture. I had this picked to make the front page ... at least I was close with you grabbing 5th place overall. :-) Thought this may have been Wendy's (vawendy) at first as this is the type of shot that she's been known to take. If you're not familiar with Wendy's work, take a look (she's Very good).
Anyway ... just wanted to drop by and say congrats on a lovely photo and a well deserved finish.
I'm happy this scored well. It got one of my top scores.
There are the artistic elements I like here … the vertical symmetry … the black/white bird/reflection … that's it's almost but not really a B&W image. It seems almost zen-like. Nicely done.
Absolutely love the shadowed reflection - really rather unusual. Good use of negative space, too. Congrats on the top 5 placement - I am still waiting for one in a Free Study, 200+ challenges in!
A very lovely shot, I love how everything flows so nicely from the shawdowy effect of the trees to the reflection of the egret into the water. Very Stunning. Congrats on a great placement in one of the more sternly judged contests on the site.
Congratulations on a great finish! I really like how the branches and the added vignette work together to frame the bird and the reflection.
Based on reading the earlier comments you might want to check out one of our on-site (member-written) tutorials, Sharpening Halos and How to Hide Them.
Thanks for pointing that out, Bear. I was wondering about that halo, as well. There's a little on the bottom of the stump reflection, too. (or the top of the stump, I guess, in the reflection. :)
Those halos can kill you in voting. It probably would have scored a point or two higher from me without it. :)
This is absolutely outstanding. The purity of line & tone is exquisite. Your cropping is spot-on (as SC I have seen the original). Very auspicious start to your DPC journey. Only suggestion: touch up the haloing around the bird's tail in the reflection. Janine can show you how (or, she BETTER be able to anyway) :-)
Heck of a finish for a FS; congrats! The bird and reflection are beautiful, but the shadowy branches which appear to be reaching for him are really wonderful. Makes the image much more unique.
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