~ S ~
by Ja-9

Comment by JuliBoc:
Congratulations Janine. Lovely shot. I happy you got the ribbon.

Elegant
by Ja-9

Comment by smardaz:
I think some of you are going to get tired of getting your Critique Club comments from me.....

I think this is a great wildlife shot, it is very reminiscent of another shot on here but I can't remember who shot it. I think this is a case where the centered crop works nicely, all of the feathers are nice and sharp. As noted the exposure was nicely done as well.

Looking at the placing I wonder how the shot would have fared if we could see the face of the bird. Also, when the challenge is titles "Art of 2012" I have to look at every shot and ask myself "would I hang this on my wall?"

I don't know if I would categorize this shot that way, certainly a shot I would like to have in my collection but not necessarily one I would call art in the classic sense, if that makes sense? Again that's just one man's opinion and only for the sake of exploring why it finished where it did.

J

~ S ~
by Ja-9

Comment by PennyStreet:
Congrats on the ribbon! Love the whites against the darks. That really is one stunning capture.

Elegant
by Ja-9

Comment by jomari:
Beautiful detail in the feathers.

Elegant
by Ja-9

Comment by Bensted:
Beautiful

~ S ~
by Ja-9

Comment by smardaz:
Wow, I got 2 in a row form you in the CC queue!

Well, heck, what can I say about this? The comments, score and ribbon speak for themselves. It's a great image, really sharp, great capture of a very skittish animal.

IF I had to make any critique of this it would be on a purely personal taste basis. The subject is a little to centered for my tastes and the back of the birds head just starts to blend into the sky but this is really being nit-picky.

Congrats on a great image and ribbon!

J

Mating Dance of the Great White Egret
by Ja-9

Comment by bohemka:
Vivid contrast in white vs. color. Wonderful capture.

Mating Dance of the Great White Egret
by Ja-9

Comment by grahamgator:
A real beauty and you did a good job on the details.

Through The Vail
by Ja-9

Comment by smardaz:
Hi Janine, today I am wearing my Critique Club hat :)

My first impression is that of looking thru a smooth, man made waterfall into a garden. It's a pleasing point of view. I think this also works well as an abstract. For some reason, however, I am getting a strong sense that where this photo would really shine is as a large print in a loft type of residence....I don't know why, it sounds kinda weird but thats just what I see in my head. It would contrast nicely with a brick wall.

If I were to speculate why this didn't finish higher, it would be for 2 reasons. I think voters are looking for more of someone doing somthing, some type of human action that causes the blur. Secondly, the plants at the bottom seem strangely pixelated to me. I'm not sure what it is since you're working with a 16mp camera but there is something there, at least to my eye.

All in all, an image that is pleasing to the eye with a nice color palette.

J

~ S ~
by Ja-9

Comment by Lydia:
Yay, Janine!!!!