Getting a Kookaburra this close is no mean feat, I was virtually sitting right on top of him though and my dream of Shallow DOF came true! I am kind of testing the water with an Australian them to see how it plays on the International VOTE :) The image is still in its correct orientation but has been cropped down, some other Kookaburras were cropped out also as some of their heads were cut off. A little extra sharpening of the Foreground and Blurring of the Background was done also.
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Place: 136 out of 174 Avg (all users): 4.9945 Avg (commenters): 5.8333 Avg (participants): 5.0917 Avg (non-participants): 4.8493 Views since voting: 1076 Votes: 182 Comments: 26 Favorites: 0
This is an excellent and original take on the Challenge. Sorry you didn't score higher with the voters. However, you have the satisfaction of knowing you pulled off a difficult shot very well. And birds are darned hard to get in good detail.
I find the transition from bird to background to be a little too sharp, and makes it look almost artificial. The difference in the focus (feathers vs. background) is enough to make it pop out for me. I like the technique of the subject breaking into the frame, but I'm not completely sure I actually like that and the tilting here. But given that's the look you wanted, it's well-done!
Interesting trick. But I think even using this technique, he's still a little close to the edges of the frame. I don't think I like the angle of this photo either. Doesn't make it right or wrong really, just personal preference.
If the photo had something with a soft focus in the foreground to indicate a 'Shallow Depth of Field' I would have given it another point. The bird lools like it has been added on to the photo ... no offense meant !
weird. top half looks like a deformed bunny. also, i thought the white border is a little distracting and a bit unnecessary - i would have probably given the original uncropped image a higher rating. 7.
What a different way to present an image At first I thought what a wide border and as it unfolded on my screen, I was and am very impressed. very nice image very detailed and I hope you dont get hammered for artwork on your border
Very impressed with this!
The kookaburra is great, but the slant and the wide frame give the overall picture a gimmicky appearance. IMHO the fact that editing programs let you create bizarre effects is not a mandate to use them to excess.
There is some excellent DOF in this shot, but I reckon most people will score low because of your gimmicky cut out. They'll presume it was superimposed or something. I'd like to have at least seen his feet on the bark to givve it context.
I'm going to give it a 7 because, assuming I'm right that this shot is untampered, it's a great capture.
A nice 3D effect, but I think the effect s overdone. Perhaps the beak sticking out would have worked, but the feet don't, as they are dangling in space. It's actually hard to see the connection between the foreground bird and the tree, so he doesn't appear to be part of the picture.
I've looked at this shot several times and am torn on the score. DOF is its strength but both the head and feet "pop-out" and the extra wide border detract. I think your unique approach and inovative angle are refreshing to see.
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