Nightski

Please share your thoughts, especially those on the b&w processing.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

Hi, Sandra,

The impact is perhaps less than it could be were the image less “flat” - made up, as it is, of a tonal spectrum predominantly of middle gray tones with a restricted DR. For a B&w version I would suggest starting with increasing middle tone contrast.

Also, at normal viewing distance all parts of the subject are a bit soft, but a download, which routinely proves that an unfair charge, is not available.

The composition, basically close to a 90° side view of the subject, is unimaginative. Also the swan’s perceived inertia appears to be heading it out of the image.

Given the uniformly exceptional quality of the images in your 500x portfolio, including some magnificent swan images, this one is well... a surprise.

A long-time fan of your images,

Dave

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Danny Kaye's Ugly Duckling! The BW hasn't worked well. Colour would better identify the swan as a youngster, with tones of brown in the feathers, less confusing than grey tones in everything.
Either way, the swan needs slightly more space in front of it to swim into.
Swans are notoriously difficult to photograph well, as a bright day can easily blow the highlighted feathers of a mature bird.