photojax Loc: West Michigan

I posted this photo a few days ago in a series of bird pictures. It was zoomed out and in color. It really did nothing for me in that format. I cropped it made a few adjustments and put it in B&W. I still don't know if I like it. What do you guys think? Feel free to critique.

MissStephie Loc: West Virginia

it's a great capture but I'm just not sure I like the black & white?

Billybuzz Loc: Whiteford, MD

The picture is sharp and the focus nearly perfect so it gives you something to look at. B&W is good. Nice capture on the landing shot.

photojax Loc: West Michigan

Yeah, I know. I think the composition is lacking in some way. It just fails to draw your attention to a point and lead your eye across the photo. Something missing.

Billybuzz Loc: Whiteford, MD

It is tough with the main part of the subject on the left side. It may be the cropping that causes that. I think it's a great shot.

photojax Loc: West Michigan

Thank you, I think you are probably correct, the choice between including all of the wingspan vs were to position the eye in the photo is what I don't like about it. I took 110 photos that day and it was one of the 26 I kept so I did think it was fairly good. I can be pretty anal when it comes to my photography.

Billybuzz Loc: Whiteford, MD

We're usually harder on ourselves than other people are.

EricLPT Loc: Jonesborough TN

Jax,

He needs some room on the left side of the photo to move in to, it is cropped too tight.

Other than that it is a nice photo,

Eric

photojax Loc: West Michigan

Good point.

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

It is a nice shot, however, you cropped the top and bottom too tightly. Add some more to both top and bottom, then do the most important thing to the image. Flip it over!!!

You don't know why you are not happy with it, but something is disturbing to you. What that is, is the fact that it is facing the wrong way for your brain. If you were in say an eastern country where they read right to left, the image would feel fine to you. The fact that we read left to right is the reason you are feeling uncomfortable with the image. By flipping it over so the swan is looking to the right, and giving more space to top and bottom, you will feel a whole lot better about the image. Even better still would be to add just a little more to the front of the swan, but if you don't have that, don't worry.

A tip though, when you do this, don't immediately view it. Add the space top and bottom first, then flip it and immediatley save it and walk away. give yourself 10 mins to get your brain reformatted to other things, then go back and open the newly configured swan photo and see if it does not now feel better to you as you view it. Let us know please.

Billybuzz Loc: Whiteford, MD

You;re right flipping the photo gives it a whole new perspective.

plantpatty Loc: Neverland

Was just discussing w/honey ystrdy bout why I like watching old b&w movies cuz of how they REALLY had to work w/lighting to show 3 dimension.In my opinion you did a FANTASTIC job on this photo!

Photoman74 Loc: Conroe Tx

The swan looks like it is stopping because it is running into the left edge of the photo - like both color and B&W

JENNIFER Loc: CT.

I LOVE the B&W,flipping it is an excellent idea,If you have it,some extra room is cool too.I really think it's a great shot.Jen.

Unique Expressions Loc: Wisconsin

I would agree with others that it is cropped too close on the left side. It makes the viewers uncomfortable (for lack of better words) when they can't see what the subject in the photo is looking at when cropped too close (if that makes sense). I've attached an example for you. Although may not be the best composition photo for this example I think you'll get what I'm going for. :)

incorrectly cropped


correctly cropped