Being Watched
by Phocal

Comment by bad_lemonade:
Brilliant contrasts and deep blacks. 10.

Full
by Phocal

Comment by snaffles:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

Wow, does this shot ever remind me of Magnumphotography...in a good way though! Great portrait, love the use of bokeh and thirds, lots of contrast and fantastic tones. Like the contrast of the curving neck vs that huge evil-looking bill. Looks like the light was quite high at the time, so good work on avoiding hard shadows and glare.

The only reason I can think of for this shot doing poorly, is partly due to the fact that FS is always tough, and simply that there isn't an unfortunate frog or fish in its bill, or in the act of being tossed down that gullet, with a decorative stream of water trailing behind it.

Hope this helps, keep shooting and enetering!

Susan

Full
by Phocal

Comment by whitewolf:
Nice close up -

Full
by Phocal

Comment by pixelpig:
handsome bird

Golden Eye
by Phocal

Comment by sidpixel:
Hello from the critique club

An excellent image that contributes well to the open challenge

Wow! That must have been some moment when he surfaced so close to you, I don't know how much time you had but well done for getting such a good shot quickly. Your technical settings are just right with adequate DOF, low ISO and fast enough shutter speed and your focus is spot on, all in all a great shot. The reflections are gorgeous and the greens of the water are superb. I know this is the open challenge and there must be some good stuff for this to end up at 19 but you do have a respectable score, well done Ronnie.

Golden Eye
by Phocal

Comment by illini75:
Great shot.

Golden Eye
by Phocal

Comment by pixelpig:
ooo jewels for sure. nice reflection.

Wet
by Phocal

Comment by sidpixel:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that partially meets the challenge.

This is a gorgeous nature study that leaves you feeling sorry for the poor bird looking wet and bedraggled in the pouring rain. So, as for surreal and dreamy I donĂ¢€™t think it really works that well, there is however, a hint of dreaminess in that his eye is partially closed which goes a little way towards fulfilling the challenge brief. What I think destroys any dreaminess is the inclusion of the barbed wire, I would have excluded it completely and just left the post I think this may have improved it but it still would struggle to fully meet the challenge.

Thank you for a lovely entry Ronnie.

Wet
by Phocal

Comment by jomari:
Oh, the poor little bird! I feel sorry for it. Lovely photo though.

Wet
by Phocal

Comment by tanguera:
Poor thing. Not sure how this is either surreal or dreamy, but it's a nice wildlife shot.