Marbled Godwit/s

Nate:
It's a very interesting image. First, because of the sheer numbers of Marbled Godwits, which I rarely see. The depth plane has some interesting features too - notably the in focus eyes of the bird on the right of the main subject (eye between upper and lower beak of another bird) and the bird below and to the left of the tail of the main subject. It's sufficiently interesting that I would consider selectively reducing the saturation and/or exposure level of the OOF birds in foreground and backgound to make the in-focus elements even more dramatic.

A very interesting and effective image. I've always liked pattern photos - especially when they have some aspect that breaks the pattern and acts as the center of interest.

Now that is a lot of Marbled Godwits. Images like this make me smile. I do wish the main subjects head were turned just a bit more towards us. Still nicely presented.

Excellent isolation Nate. I find this a very interesting image for several reasons but I really like how you can clearly delineate where the narrow plain of focus is. There are three sets of eyes that are sharp. I find the background very pleasingly blurred. There is one bird that distracts me a little bit. It's is the one on the left side of the image about 60% of the way up from the bottom. The bird is not OOF enough to blur into the background and it is mimicking the posture of the main subject. Could you selectively blur that guy a little bit? Other than that one little nit I really am enjoying looking at this image. I usually don't look for as long as have with this image. It kinda makes you want to explore. Very well done Nate.

a really captivating comp Nate. I agree with Rich's thoughts on this 100%. You achieved your goal nicely I would say.

Now THAT'S a lot of Godwits ! Cool photo Nate

I usually don't care for photos of a bunch of birds like this one, but this one is really well done. That one bird that I can focus on really makes it for me.

Neat choice of dof and selective focus

Awesome image! The comp is perfect

Nate,
I like how you isolated the emerging subject from the others, creating a beautiful sight.
Well done!

Very appealing image. I like how you used the birds as your foreground with a slight blurring which leads your eye to the main subject. The Marbled Godwit is in sharp focus with a nice catchlight in his eye. I also like how the background blends in with the colore scheme.

Laura Stafford

Super composition Nate. Incredible number of Godwits! The pink beaks add an interesting pattern in the over all background.

Hi Nate,
Interesting shot. I'm going against the other commentors in that this image just doesn't jump out at me. To me it doesn't have that WOW factor. It's a clean shot with good techs but the biggest nit I have is all those OOF heads at the bottom of the frame.
Thanks for posting,
Ronnie G.

Very cool, Nate. I like the selective focus here. Love the pinks beaks in the picture.

Sweet photo Nate!!! You did very well separating this individual godwit while still conveying the sheer numbers of the larger flock.

Ken Archer

Terrific shot Nate. I think you achieved your goal.

Gary.

I think your use of DOF to isolate the bird is really excellent here, Nate. I do agree with David Sparks that using selective exposure modifications could help to make this shot even more dramatic....if that's what you would like to do! Lovely, very interesting image.

Cool idea, Nate! The techs are perfect. However, I think positioning the subject a little higher up in the frame and having it a little smaller may create more impact.

Very nice selective focus and I happen to like this shot. I do not see large groups of birds very much so it is interesting to me, well done.