Visited Swanbourne Lake in Arundel, UK, where there were several swans floating about. It was hard to take pictures of most of them as there was always a branch or tree in the way, but finally found a spot where I could take a decent picture - I think it's beautiful.
The photo has been cropped and a touch of contrast has been applied.
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I gave you a 4 and now that I look at the image again...No Offense...I'm surprised I gave it that high a score. Generally speaking technicals aren't the most important thing when it comes to Candids but the better the technicals the cooler the shot...that's to say, if the techs are off, it had better be a damn cool moment that you've captured.
Great techs means you were quick and nailed it on the money...when it counted. There is some major blowouts in your image, the coloring is drab and the focus isn't really on.
Now this is a picture of a Swan swimming by some weeds...no special or intersting action or moment to speak of (fishing, being attacked...making whoopeee)...though yes, it was of course a moment in time. Sure it's a Candid but a Candid of something with virtually no interest. Basically this image has more issues than just the fact that it was an animal Candid.
My comments are pretty stiff because I'm at work and don't have the time to edit my thoughts but since you started a thread I figured I'd give you both barrels while have the energy to be honest. No offense please.
I'm not much for receiving or giving comments, but since Candids are
near and dear to my heart, I have decided to give comment on every entry
in this challenge.
Unfortunately, candids of animals are really not what I look for in a good candid. Animals are aware and both unaware at the same time of a photographer, nor do they care either way. Too easy, no comfort zone lost. It's a 1 for me due to bad technicals and the use of an animal for a candid. There is little focus, and the whites are blown. Contrast and saturation are all lacking.
i'm not quite sure how to comment on this image...i would hope you're getting plenty of direction as to meeting the challenge. as to the technicals, well, it's a bit blown out and the composition doesn't really give me much. there's a lot of distracting stuff in the foreground. maybe if you shot it at a different time of day, the lighting wouldn't be so harsh. if your score isn't where you would like it to be, you might want to read this thread
So much CA! You can minimize it removing a bit of magenta with selective colors. The subject itself is over exposed, it gives your pctures an incidental aspect of snapshots. Try to get the better exposure at subject, ever! Let´s other spaces and background to second plane.
Even if it were likely to get past the candid police (and I agree with the human thing), the overe-xposure and lack of depth to the colour of this would hurt your score anyhow I think. The reeds and twigs in front also cause problems - they aren't thick enough to add a strong sense of location, in fact just look messy.
While I do believe an animal can be in a candid shot...I feel this swan's "back" may be a little overblown. I do like the drop of water coming from the face.
The setting with all the bush and grass add to this being a "candid" shot.
Sorry, don't see the connection to the challenge. ??? Looking past the challenge connection - the image is a little snapshotish. What I mean by that is the composition is too centered and the white on the swans back is blown out (lost detail). A small boost in contrast would help this image pop a little. Pulling down the highlights, and adjusting the black/white points would also be interesting to see applied here. Good luck in the challenge.
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