Hello from Belize
by RLS

Comment by clues56:
WOW! Great picture. I think the expression on the face is priceless- You did an excellent job with this.

Hello from Belize
by RLS

Comment by curliq3:
This is a beautiful work of art and I love all the colors. The toucan is so vibrant but I think that the background is too busy.

Hello from Belize
by RLS

Comment by LarsPaysen:
I like how the bird is leaning into the shot. The contrast looks a little high though. 6

Hello from Belize
by RLS

Comment by aussie:
A wonderful fresh image with vbrant colours. Captured very well. I like his 'cheaky grin' if you could call it that. The dof is just awesome as to is the clarity on the bird itself. Very well done and GL in this weeks challenge.

Hello from Belize
by RLS

Comment by DavidLevin:
I love the vibrant colours although if more of the bird was in view, id like it more. 8

Hello from Belize
by RLS

Comment by alanfreed:
Great! I love his expression -- he must have known he was being photographed! Nice use of DOF too.

Hello from Belize
by RLS

Comment by JPR:
well hello to you too tucan sam. my what pretty colors you have. i like the motion like blur in the background too, is that from wind?

Hello from Belize
by RLS

Comment by Malokata:
Nice shot, but it looks to be a bit oversharpened. The grain in the foreground leaf, particularly, is distracting.

Bucko
by RLS

Comment by ursula:
FROM THE CRITIQUE CLUB

Hi, Bob,

"Bucko" is a very good entry into the Duotones challenge. It's one of the better duotoes, and your score reflects that. I think that there are two things that went agains you here: one, the border; two, there were a lot of good entries to the challenge.

About the picture itself: lighting, DOF, colour, all that is very good, as is the crop. The horse itself is a good looking horse. I love the grass in front and behind the horse's head, how it is so clear right around it, light with dark tips, and fades into a blur into the distance - to me the grass is the most beautiful part of the picture. I like the blurred background - works really well here.

The composition is excellent. Probably the most controversial aspect of your entry is the border. It goes well with the colours of the picture, but it attracts too much attention (thus the negative/positive reactions to it). IMO, a border should simply enhance the picture, but not attract so much attention that people focus more on it than on the picture itself.

Oh well. Congratulations on an excellent photo, very good finish, and ... keep up the good work!

Ursula (uabresch)
Complaints, comments, questions ... feel free to contact me.

Bucko
by RLS

Comment by Sonifo:
This is a beautiful picture. I can't believe mine beat yours. I love the way the grass looks. You did good. I hope you plan to sell this.