The Stalker

Gallery: AvianPosted February 4, 2014109 views5 comments

The Stalker
Sionnet, Switzerland 2012/04/25
D300s 150-500mm at 350mm
ISO 800
1/400s at f9.0 EV +1.00 WB manual Center Weighted Average
Hand held
Original TIFF file cropped from 35M to 21.3Mb
Photoshop CS3

This one is not intended to be an 'eye contact with viewer at all costs' pic. – does it not depend on the circumstances? In the original, it was not apparent what was being stalked by the Grey Heron. A substantial amount was cropped from the right and 1.5cm added to the left - just to make a symmetrical composition.
I chose this from four other takes because of my unique view of the eye through the reeds. Other shots of the bird were less encumbered, showing better leg movement. Some had more canvas behind than in front, to me even better suggesting the act of stalking forward!

Your comments, suggestions and criticisms are most welcome.
Thanks for looking

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on February 4, 2014 at 8:06 AM

I like the environmental aspect in this photo. Good detail in the heron's feathers and eye. Do think the greens are a little too green/bright.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on February 4, 2014 at 8:31 AM

I read about your crop. I'd opt to put some back on the right to give the heron room to move. A symmetrical composition can work, but in this image I think it would be stronger with more room on the right.

The greens feel very unnatural. Looks like they have had a significant boost in saturation. I'd pull them back a lot as I'm guessing this is not the scene as captured.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on February 5, 2014 at 1:11 AM

I agree with Keith; giving the bird some room to stalk into would strengthen the shot. Nice work managing the blacks and whites, and the partial view of the bird through the grass works well. I think a slightly lower angle would strengthen the shot as well. I agree with Patricia that the greens are slightly oversaturated.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on February 5, 2014 at 4:46 PM

Excellent detail in the Heron, and I love the reeds, David. The intent stare really works well, but it appears to be off the edge of the image. For my taste, I'd replace some of the canvas in front of the bird.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on February 6, 2014 at 8:58 PM

I think you were right to choose the image with the clear view of the eye. I like the way it is peeking through the reeds. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments