Returning from the hunt
by jbsmithana

Comment by dahkota:
For the challenge, I gave you a 5. I thought it was good for a stop action shot (+1) but not off centered enough when compared to others in the challenge (-1). Over all as a photo, there is a blurry distraction right in the bottom center. If you had been able to get rid of that, the score would have gone up to 6. If the bird had more detail the score would have gone up to 7 or more. I don't mind the blue cast at all and love the background; the foreground just took up too much of the shot to get past. I know we take things as they come and we cannot control what we have an opportunity to snap. But some opportunities are better than others. This image, with a better point of view and combined with your excellent timing could have been great. As-is, its okay. Take this with a grain of salt. This is a disclaimer to state this is solely my opinion and not to be taken as knowledgeable or true. Do with it as you wish. :)

Returning from the hunt
by jbsmithana

Comment by cpanaioti:
First impression: focus seems a little soft but not distracting

Composition: The direction of the bird leads the viewer out of the image rather than into. I realize that the ducks on the lake were included intentionally however if the eagle were facing the other way the image would be stronger. Also, the blurry log in the foreground is a bit distracting.

Exposure: The dark areas are a little blocked up so the image could possibly benefit from a touch more exposure. (this could be due to resizing as well)

Impact: More impact could have been achieved if the eagle were leading the viewer into the image rather than out.

BTW, I scored this a 6.

Returning from the hunt
by jbsmithana

Comment by jduffett:
I didn't really care for the out of focus wood in the foreground. I'd also like to see more detail, maybe with a closer crop (though maybe this is okay in a larger size than 640 px), although I do like the inclusion of the ducks.

Returning from the hunt
by jbsmithana

Comment by FranziskaLang:
I didn't vote on this challenge, but I probably would've given you a 4. The things I don't like much are the blue cast, the blown out white sky, and there's not enough detail in the bird's wing. I know you meant for the blue cast to be there, but it just doesn't work for me. Sorry.

Returning from the hunt
by jbsmithana

Comment by jbsmithana:
Thanks. I went for something different for a change. This is meant to have the blue cast in order to instill the cold feeling of an unsuccessful hunt during witner. I went kind of artsy for me and looks like I failed. This does look pretty good blown up though.

Returning from the hunt
by jbsmithana

Comment by posthumous:
I was one of your 8s. Beautiful shot. Looks like a brush and ink print.

The Source
by jbsmithana

Comment by srdanz:
Beautiful photo! (Gave it a 9). Could you change the date on it please - to be more realistic:-) (I'm not sure how did the system let you manage to submit the image outside the challenge dates anyway)

Anna's In Winter
by jbsmithana

Comment by jbsmithana:
Thanks to all for the comments. As for the color shift I do not know how I did not noitce until after the challenge started. You are correct that it is shifted although not as much as you might expect. As for saturation it is pretty much as captured. Although I'm very happy with the finish I have to wonder how it would have done had I fine tuned the color balance instead of using auto.

In any case I'm happy with the shot and will post a few more later. (see outtakes thread) I have one that shows the beautiful red throat and crown.

Here is the shot with the proper white balance.


Message edited by author 2006-02-01 13:50:52.

Anna's In Winter
by jbsmithana

Comment by dacrazyrn:
Nice catch and stop motion on a hummingbird. Great colors.

Anna's In Winter
by jbsmithana

Comment by Beagleboy:
Flash shot with white balance set to tungsten? Strange colour cast.