If I’m allowed to be 110% honest;
-I would definitely NOT use this shot.
-Bear in mind that this is entirely my view (and opinion) of the given picture and that this is in fact under the "critique" category.
First of all, I don’t see any excitement in the picture. And in no way does the image "pop", it just doesn’t «stand out».
I don’t like the composition, and I think that it resembles more of a "snapshot" than anything else. Like you just panned with the birds concentrating on focus and to get more of a documentary kind of shot instead of trying to get a more exited shot/composition. It is easy to get "drawn into the moment" and forget about the rest. I remember I did this myself a lot when I started to photograph around 35 years ago. (Without going into further details about that.)
Although I see that the composition is kind of right, you got the air in front and above the birds a little misplaced, why? Because the bottom and the left side of the birds, are in my opinion, ruining the composition you were obviously trying to get. (I’m currently on my iPad watching this, so I can not see as well as on a computer according to sharpness and contrast etc. And if I am allowed Peter, I could do a quick edit/recrop of the given pic on the iPad to show you what I mean???)
I would cut a little behind the last bird and a bit under the birds wings (then cloned out the mirrored wing of the last bird in the water), then the air in front and over the birds would be more distinguished and then again it wouldn’t be so misplaced. The image would instantly come more out as a well composed one.
I would also like more details in the darkest parts of the birds, so I would slide the Shadow slider a bit up and the highlights just a tiny little bit down. Such a pity I can’t see the contrast that well on my iPad, but PERHAPS you’ve done a bit to much contrast on the birds as it’s difficult to see the dark details.(?) OR, have you used both the contrast and clarity at the same time a bit hard? One has to be really careful when using contrast together with clarity, as you know.
About the signature;
I think it’s on the correct side, if you had put it on the right side instead, it would throw the image out of balance.
But, always a «but», ain’t there?..😊 I think, the way the signature stands now, it’s too high up in the picture, but when that is said, I like that you haven’t emphasised it further, the letters are not too bold and not all too large, as I see a lot of people do these days. Because in these days people with camera (read: none photographers, people who think they are photographers just because they can afford a D800 and doesn’t have a darn clue about photography), are so self exposing that they need EVERYONE to know their name. Too bad «Photographer» isn’t a protected title! 😊
I could point out a few more tiny flaws, but I’m not here to slaughter your picture Peter, quite the opposite, to give you some constructive criticism. (And we can really learn a lot from each other this way!🙂)
I believe that’s why the topic are called «Critique»...😉😊☺️
Wishing you a great weekend, Peter!! 😊👍🙋🏻♂️
Patrick
