Graham Harris
April 2026 - "Mating Swamphens"
About the Image(s)
This image shows a pair of swamphens mating at a local Waterbird habitat - photographed in September 2025. Image captured with a Sony 200-600mm lens on an A7RV at ISO 2500 and focal length of 478mm. Exposure compensation of -1EV at 1/2000s and F8.
Cropped to a vertical and post-processed with Lightroom Classic and Topaz DeNoise.
Regards,
Graham Harris CF FAPS EFIAP EPSA GPU CR-2 PSQA
Graham Harris | Imagery
www.grahamharrisimagery.com
1 comment posted
Nice capture, and I assume you got a series. I agree this is a vertical scene, but I would consider giving a bit more space in front of the birds, if you have it. Keeping in mind that judges view everything in a near-panoramic ratio of 1920 x 1080, the less "vertical" your crop, the larger the image on the screen. This is cropped into a 3x5, I would consider instead 3x4, cropping slightly off the bottom and allowing more space to our right.
I also feel like, you can bring up the shadows on the faces (esp the male) more than you have already done. These birds have very visible eyes, it will pay to enhance that in your final presentation. Aside from that, I agree with your post processing.
Lillian
Lillian Posted: 04/13/2026 08:57:26
I also feel like, you can bring up the shadows on the faces (esp the male) more than you have already done. These birds have very visible eyes, it will pay to enhance that in your final presentation. Aside from that, I agree with your post processing.
Lillian
Lillian Posted: 04/13/2026 08:57:26