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Inspiring and Supporting Photographers of Australian Birds

Antipodean Albatross

Photographed by

Ian Wilson on Sun 23rd Sep, 2018 and uploaded on Thu 27th Sep, 2018 .

Resolution

1400x924

Viewed

478

31998

Comment

These two images are different crops from the same frame. I would like to know which crop you prefer and welcome feedback on any other issues. Thanks, Ian.

Equipment

Canon 1DxII + 400 mm f/4 DO II + 1.4x III extender, hand-held.
Manual, spot metering, AI Servo with 8-pt zone AF, f/5.6, 1/3200 sec, ISO 400
Processed using DPP4 and PSE14 with Neat Image plug-in.

Location

Continental Shelf off Port Fairy, Victoria

Keywords

male, adult

This image is not available for download.

Stephen Garth	2018-09-27 18:41:20	Hi Ian, I have a slight preference for the closer crop. I do like the detail that is revealed when a shot is predominately showing the head - so when when the image quality supports it the closer crop is better - in my view. It will be interesting to see what response you get. I suspect opinions will be divided. Regards SG
Tim Van Leeuwen	2018-09-27 21:31:22	Hi Ian, the interesting part of this image is the face/nose/beakof the bird and my preference is this closer crop as it places them, in my opinion, in a better position.
Tim Van Leeuwen	2018-09-27 21:31:23	Hi Ian, the interesting part of this image is the face/nose/beakof the bird and my preference is this closer crop as it places them, in my opinion, in a better position.
Tim Van Leeuwen	2018-09-27 21:31:26	Hi Ian, the interesting part of this image is the face/nose/beakof the bird and my preference is this closer crop as it places them, in my opinion, in a better position.
Barry Deacon	2018-09-27 21:50:08	Ian not that I am really qualified to comment, but gee I like the detail of the head in the closer crop. This image also gives me the sense that the bird is coming right for me. Cheers, Barry.
Trevor Bullock	2018-09-28 07:28:59	Hi Ian I am in no way qualified to comment either, however, for what its worth, I like to look at the image as a whole, and I prefer the smaller crop - I feel the in focus brown area on the right wing adds tonal range to the image and helps to better balance the bird, and therefore the image. The in focus part of the leading edge of the right wing also tells the viewer exactly what the out of focus left wing looks like, and so the left wing is less of a distraction - IMO. No head detail is lost with the smaller crop.
Ian Wilson	2018-09-28 08:44:11	Thank you Stephen, Tim, Barry, and Trevor. I really appreciate you taking the trouble to let me know how you feel about this question. I hope a few more members will join in the discussion. As far as I am concerned, there are no right or wrong answers as it is very much a matter of personal taste and I expect a diversity of opinion. Cheers, Ian
Glenn Pure	2018-09-28 08:49:46	I prefer the wider view (second image posted, not the one above). Showing more of the foreground wing produces a more visually pleasing image to me. In the above shot, the very base of the foreground wing is visible but it makes me want to see a bit more of it and it does appear somewhat imbalanced without it to my mind. Hope that helps. In this case, everyone's comment is valid because we all have a valid personal view of what works better for us. So I'd encourage others to comment too as I think that is what you are after?
Rob Parker	2018-09-28 09:48:13	I prefer the wider crop; it gives (to me) a more balanced image, and the in-focus foreground wing compensates for the blurry back wing. The head detail is similar in both images, so the fact that its slighty smaller in of no consequence. Rob
David Seymour	2018-09-28 14:34:04	Hi Ian, I also very much prefer the wider crop (the second post, not this one), principally because of the interesting detail on the bird's right leading wing edge which I think adds a lot to the image. This inclusion of more of the in-focus part of the bird is also making the OOF far wing much less noticeable (as others have also noted), to the extent that it's no longer really an issue. I also like the inclusion of more of the interesting background pattern, the details of which below and right of the bird seem to help to balance out the composition and place the bird more in context. One point that may be helping the wider post is that if you look at the two most interesting elements (the eye/beak area and that wing leading edge), a point halfway between the two elements is sitting at about ideal rule-of-thirds position, which again I think is helping the balance of the composition. Great image by the way, I like it! Cheers, David
Ian Wilson	2018-09-28 18:07:44	Thanks also to Glenn, Rob and David for your valuable feedback on these two images. I have considered the suggestions and opinions and decided to look at other frames in the shooting sequence to see if there was one that could accommodate the helpful ideas you have generously offered. I think there is one frame that 'works' and I have submitted it the to the Critique Gallery this afternoon. I once again seek your indulgence by asking you to consider whether my latest attempt is an improvement on the earlier versions. Thanks, Ian.
Simon Pelling	2018-10-10 11:42:16	I like the positioning of the bird in 31999. I think this is a slightly more balanced view of the head/eye position and the outstretched wing. Drop of liquid (water?) on the beak is an interesting detail. Overall the image is quite cool and grey blue tones predominate which is what you would expect from the bird and ocean environment (and emphasises the coldness and bleakness). The pink beak is an interesting counterpoint to this. While you have gone for colour accuracy, might there be a case to add a touch of warmth to the white balance on the beak to just bring up the contrasting colours and provide an additional point of interest? Simon

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	77/283 in Critique Gallery
	853/1427 by Ian Wilson
	13/29 of Antipodean Albatross
	221/378 of Albatrosses
	13718/34429 Overall
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