"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).

"Avoid centering your subject"
by Bear_Music

Comment by jomari:
Congratulations, Robert. Beautiful shot. Lucky you to have such a visitor.

"Avoid centering your subject"
by Bear_Music

Comment by gintay:
Congratulation on the Blue ribbon!
Great capture!

"Avoid centering your subject"
by Bear_Music

Comment by hahn23:
Congratulations on the blue ribbon, Robert. This is a fine wildlife portrait. Well done!

"Avoid centering your subject"
by Bear_Music

Comment by PenelopeK:
Congratulations, sweetie! It's been a treat having this red tailed hawk spend 20 - 30 minutes at a stretch within 15 feet of us, hasn't it! Ignoring us opening the sliding door and moving around outside. This is a fantastic capture and presentation. Love all the detail and such a serene look, at least that's what I like to think it is :-).