Amur Falcon v2 (PAW 1/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by nam:
Since it's not for a challenge, is there any reason not to add canvas at the top and clone in enough to keep the original space and straighten the horizon? I don't mind it, but I do understand your thoughts there and I think I'd feel the same way.

Amur Falcon (PAW 1/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by nam:
I see that others have weighed in on the crop - looking at the original I'm thinking you lost from the top because you straightened. Tough decision. I don't mind the space below, though - gives me the sense he is looking for prey. What a wonderfully sharp in-flight capture! Great information, too.

Amur Falcon v2 (PAW 1/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by Elaine:
I prefer the version you posted as there is more room for flying. Nice isolation from the background.

Amur Falcon v2 (PAW 1/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by Dennisheckman:
I also prefer this version! Better BG, better clarity, better comp. Nice.

Amur Falcon v2 (PAW 1/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by bassbone:
I prefer this version by a longshot. Nice work!

Amur Falcon v2 (PAW 1/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by bsluijk:
I like this version better than the previous one, for reasons others state as well: more room around the wings, a place to fly into. I also think that you may have over-sharpened v1, that is not as apparent here.
If you're concerned with the crooked horizon you could straighten it a little more and clone in the sky that you will be short off in PS - there is little detail of interest there anyway.

Amur Falcon v2 (PAW 1/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by sulamk:
Like v2 better . Very sharp and the looks like he has somewhere to go.

Amur Falcon v2 (PAW 1/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by Kroburg:
Wow, wow, wow, what an amazing picture!! I really love your wildlife images, they are beautiful... like seeing these birds and animals with my own eyes. I also like this crop, so much better.

Message edited by author 2013-01-09 04:53:22.

Amur Falcon (PAW 1/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by HarveyG:

Originally posted by ursula: What I don't like as much is that the falcon looks so very much just suspended in the air, looking as if he isn't doing anything, just suspended there. Also, the large empty area at bottom, but little space at right for the bird to fly into, doesn't work for me. It's a good photo to identify this bird, but, as a photo to enjoy, it is lacking something. I hope that makes sense.

Makes perfect sense thanks Ursula.

What always worries me is that if the bird isn't LARGE in the frame people will think it's too far way and lacking detail. To me environment is as important as the subject itself and the 800px wide is oh so small to do a 16:9 crop! Wished we had 1080 or 1920. I can make the image <300kb, just give the wildlifers and landscapers HD :)

Amur Falcon (PAW 1/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by kasaba:
This is stunning Harvey. But I also agree on the crop. I usually am quite fond of square crops, but not so much for this one. The green BG provides a wonderful contrast to the bird.