Allen Kurth
December 2024 - Greater White-Fronted Goose
About the Image(s)
I took this with my Sony mirrorless and 600mm lens. Exposure was 1/1600 sec at f4. The ISO was 400.
I took this shot on December 7, 2024 at Loess Bluffs NWR. It is getting cold and the geese are headed south. It was shortly after sunrise. I set my exposure to avoid overexposing the highlights.
7 comments posted
James Nelson
A background similar to the subjects color sometimes does not work but it seems to fit well here. The open aperture and composition give good subject isolation. The water cascading off the feet certainy places the animal in the take-off scene. I am not sure if the crop would be too tight but it might be interesting to crop in from the bottom left to eliminate the blue water. Posted: 12/10/2024 17:22:53
Deborah Albert
(Groups 1 & 3)
(Groups 1 & 3)
I would darken the water a tad and sharpen the goose more. Posted: 12/11/2024 18:34:04
I can't make up my mind whether the twin bright areas of water and sky are a boon or a distraction. I tried recropping to eliminate most of it. I also applied some High Pass sharpening (Add a Layer, Filters >> High Pass, set it at 6 or 8. Then blend in Soft Light.) which I feel brings up some detail in the bird even in the low res jpeg. I'm not saying this is better, just another option.
Lillian Posted: 12/16/2024 19:55:46
Lillian Posted: 12/16/2024 19:55:46
Allen Kurth
Two people have told me to sharpen the goose. Until now, it seemed plenty sharp. I appreciate you critique.
I decided to leave a bit of the water to provide some context to the background. I agree that it is distracting. I'll either darken it or crop it out. Posted: 12/18/2024 22:01:00
I decided to leave a bit of the water to provide some context to the background. I agree that it is distracting. I'll either darken it or crop it out. Posted: 12/18/2024 22:01:00
Hi Allen,
I'm thinking that the bird blends a bit too much with the background here. Maybe use Lightroom Luminance to darken the background color? Posted: 12/18/2024 18:04:14
I'm thinking that the bird blends a bit too much with the background here. Maybe use Lightroom Luminance to darken the background color? Posted: 12/18/2024 18:04:14
Allen Kurth
I hadn't considered using Lightroom Luminance. Thanks for the suggestion.
Posted: 12/18/2024 21:26:28
Posted: 12/18/2024 21:26:28
Howard Frank
nice action shot. I think Lillian's ideas help make this a better shot. Posted: 12/23/2024 15:34:42