Critique needed (2) (1 Viewer)

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Following from Roy's excellent thread please find an image attached for critique. there's plenty I do and don't like about the shot and hopefully this will be an educational experience for all.

 

[hampers]

Marcus
I'm not sure about the piece of wood above, wether it adds or detracts from the subject. Also find it a little dark overall and a shadow on the eye. Really like the subject and the location.
I'll get one of my photo's on for comment in next day or so, excellent idea by Roy.

Phil

 

[Jaff]

Yes that stem is annoying but let's not forget that's the challenge with wildlife photography, they rarely do exactly what you want! Just like it's a shame it's not poking out a bit more. I also think there's just a little too much space on the top of the shot.

 

[Bananafishbones]

I dare you to go and move the twig.....

 

[Roy C]

I agree about the branch but being at the same angle of the snake, has it got some artistic merit! - I cannot make my mind up.

I must say the things that jumps out at me is the amount of red in the shot, I think I would try to desaturate the red in everything except the snake to try and make the snake jump out a bit from the BG.

I would also try to selectively sharpen the snake a bit. and maybe blur the BG above the snake slightly (but not the branch).

Crop wise I do not think I would do it any different.

I must say that overall it is a great capture Marcus.

 

[psilo]

I think that some things in photographs are too significant to remove and to do so wouldnt accurately capture what was seen. I think the twig adds to the image. It almost looks like the snake it hiding beneath the twig which further adds to the mysterious air of the snake. I like the colour tone and the dof but I agree that the snake could be a little bit sharper maybe done by blurring the bg more than sharpening the snake itself. I would also prefer it if there was some kind of eye contact with the snake too as it appears to be looking out of the image.

 

[Helios]

An exceptional shot. The snake seems sharper on your website, so there might be a little loss in sharpness in resizing the shot.

I think the whole tone and context of the shot is near perfect. I wouldn't try anything to make the snake stand out more. To me the leaves and twigs are as important as the snake itself.

I would keep everything as it is. The only thing I would try to avoid for future shots is the blurring in the immediate foreground, as it's a little distracting. Just needs a little more depth of field, to give you the room to crop out the foreground blurring.

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Thanks for the feedback so far.