I was using a lens with 4.0 as the lowest, but I agree, the background could use more blurring, which I suppose I could have done in post-processing, and I could have even taken out the "bush" but I wasn't sure if that would break the rules (removing a major element).
It was shot in AV mode, I was having some problems getting anything to expose well, so I actually took three or four of these, and this one was the brightest, set at +2 exposure (as far as the light meter was concerened). I probably should have switched over to manual.
Thanks for the tip on the processing, I'll try sharpening less in more steps in the future. As to the haloing, I dodged the bird, and I think that is what gives that effect.
Thanks for the critique!
Slippy:
Thanks man, the poster above you is quite clearly insane as well :).
Hello, and greetings from the Critique Club. I am your critiquer, Artyste, and we have a lovely little write up for you today.
Initial Thoughts
A little dark, not sure what I'm looking at here. oh! I see it. Hey, that's not half bad.
Composition / Content
Your composition is quite nice IMO, with but one failing, the little tree/bush hangings there distract a little too strongly. I was drawn to them at first and it took me a minute to get to the rest of the image. Chalk that up to the fact that DPC can be slow to load perhaps. Love the look of the model, and how you've given room for the direction of the bird's walk.
Background
Possibly slightly busier than it could be, I wonder if dropping the aperature to 3.5 or 2.8 would have blurred it out that much more. As I said above, I'm not too keen on the bush being there either, but outdoor shots aren't always that manageable, so it's not a *huge* complaint at all. Nitpicking, really.
Camera Work / Technical
I wish we could know what mode some of these were shot on, I'd be very curious to know if you were on M, Av, or Tv (or P for that matter). It looks to me like this shot was underexposed, and you brought the exposure up in areas yourself. The work on the bird has left a little haloing that is a touch off-putting, and renders the image a little surreal. It works with your title (especially because of the look on the bird's face), but overall it's just a little flat. I think a slight over-exposure and a drop down to a moody dark would have worked a little better.. however, I could be way off base too, and if that's what you *did* do, then I withdraw the suggestion.
Digital Processing
You provided no information on this, so I don't have too much to say except that a little more use of layer masks might have helped the haloing on the bird. (also, that seems to have been strengthed by the slight over-sharpening on the image as well). Sharpening is tricky, and I find that it's better to sharpen in a few smaller steps, than trying to do it all at once.
Fits the Challenge
Yes, that poor bird certainly does look depressed and lonely, I do have to give it that. It's certainly a great candid capture, and good eyes for noticing something that'd get buy a good many of us.
My Opinion of the Photo
I like it. After the initial "I'm not sure.." stage, which only lasts a second or so, it really drags you in and you get the feeling of the photo. The few minor technical issues I mentioned are just that.. minor issues. They may have kept you from a better score, but the emotiveness you've got here is a great capture.
The subject detail and composition are quite impressive. I think the hanging branches at the top left do not add any thing to the this image and they take away from the desolation of the background which adds, for me, to the depression of the image. Damn fine otherwise.
I just love this shot, The gull looks really depressed, and lonely. The colours , lighting, DOF etc are all just perfect, Deserves a place in the top three.
I know a lot of people took a photo and then tried to backfill a "D&L" tile into the photo, but this guy REALLY does look depressed and lonely. Great job.
Great capture, it really looks like he is depressed and lonely. Those branches in the upper corner on the left hand side distract a bit IMHO, but this is an excellent shot nevertheless.
The bird is depressed - I see it!!! No bird should be alone. Well any picture that evokes emotion like this deserves at least a 7...you deserve an 8!! I love it!!
This is so sad. No, I know its not really, but your toning, composition, POV, DOF all work with the title to give the image the emotion I think you were looking for. I can actually believe this bird is depressed and lonely. If only more people would see the relationship of a good title and an image that goes with it! 10. Very well done.
AWWw You can't help but feel sorry for him. The grays and blues just add to the mood of the title. I like the hint of greenery hanging in the upper left.
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