"Avoid centering your subject"
by Bear_Music

Comment by tanguera:
What a shot. Congrats on the blue, Bear.

Hawk in the Birdbath! OMG!
by Bear_Music

Comment by SaraR:
What an amazing catch. The only time I have seen a hawk actually in my garden, he was in the process of killing a starling....

"Avoid centering your subject"
by Bear_Music

Comment by mariuca:
It was 7 from me independently of these rules that are so delightful to break. I just felt that I needed either more or less background to be totally immersed in the charm of the owl.

"Avoid centering your subject"
by Bear_Music

Comment by Lydia:
Yay! A Blue-Ribbon Bear!

"Avoid centering your subject"
by Bear_Music

Comment by Dennisheckman:
I didn't see any rules being broken here. It's one fantastic image for sure! We had a hawk on our deck last year. I was able to get LOTS of shots from just inside my house.

"Avoid centering your subject"
by Bear_Music

Comment by vawendy:

Originally posted by Beetle: Ugh. This is a beautiful shot full of adorable detail and beauty. And yet, major shoehorn!!!!!!!!!!!! You know full well that while you might have broken one rule re centering, you totally adhered to the fact that diagonal lines work way better than horizontals or verticals, and let's not forget the main one: "Fill the frame". Good thing I didn't vote..... I would have started off very highly for the lovely photo, yet felt compelled to dock you for the shoehorn reasons (see above).

Hehe, Beetle hit it on the head! This isn't centering, this is filling the frame -- no broken rules here!

That being said, I am sooooooooo jealous!! OMG, what an incredible opportunity. I would love to have a hawk in my backyard! Truly fantastic catch. What a wonderful expression!

Even if it is a shoehorn. :P

"Avoid centering your subject"
by Bear_Music

Comment by SaraR:
This is in your garden? Wow! I had assumed it was a captive bird on a perch. That lower eye is pretty much on the thirds, though... Super photo.

"Avoid centering your subject"
by Bear_Music

Comment by MichaelC:
Amazing shot Robert, congratulations.

"Avoid centering your subject"
by Bear_Music

Comment by GeorgesBogaert:
congratulations on the blue with this super nice picture

"Avoid centering your subject"
by Bear_Music

Comment by Beetle:
Ugh. This is a beautiful shot full of adorable detail and beauty.

And yet, major shoehorn!!!!!!!!!!!!

You know full well that while you might have broken one rule re centering, you totally adhered to the fact that diagonal lines work way better than horizontals or verticals, and let's not forget the main one: "Fill the frame".

Good thing I didn't vote..... I would have started off very highly for the lovely photo, yet felt compelled to dock you for the shoehorn reasons (see above).