SANParks.org Forums

You do have an eye Andy!

and Fransmargate for some amazing Pics!

Totally agree with Andy, and the reason for the crop. That branch is too intrusive.
Actually, if you just want the photo for yourself (!) you can actually use Photoshop to remove it... It's a great photo without it.
If you want me to I'll happily edit it, but I'll need the original, and it's weekend, so I don't have a computer to work on.

Thank you Andy(I liked your edit-thank you) DuQues(I will place the original) and Lockie. Few more pics but have learned not to overcrop.

.....I dunno guys .... maybe I'm just different, but I like the framing offered by the strategically cropped branch in the foreground. My crop would be very similar to the shot IMG_7911 with just a bit of water visible in the corner.....

IMG_7920

for IMG_7917 I would have gone a bit more symmetrical ...

IMG_7917

Fransmargate,
I see you've learnt quickly!!
Try and always leave some background so people can have an idea of the surroundings. I generally crop leaving the same background space on at least three sides, your first pic gives the idea as you left the forth side longer and it gives the idea of movement in the water. Bravo!

Thanks Guys for all the positive advice - I am learning
Would you advise me to trim this pic and if the answer is yes - how much?

Hi Fransmargate,
I would keep the picture as it is, gives an excellent view of the surroundings and position from where you took the picture.
If you really wanted to crop then I'd go for this

Andy, I feel that that crop, with the branches in opposite corners, is very distracting. The branches pull my eyes out of the frame

Hi Josh, yes I know what you mean but then cropping further would give a very tight and high picture, not at all proportional, and in order to exclude the left branch you'd have to cut the birds shadow which really adds a lot to the picture.

I agree with Josh. Rather not crop it at all.


The darter a few posts above hasn't got enough space to swim into. It's about to crash into the edge at the left. Poor bird....
I think reading up on the Rule of thirds might help a bit? Of course it depends on what you want to show, that wattled plover (forgot the name) is in the center of the photo. But there it doesn't matter at all, as you want to show the bird, and only the bird.

Not a clearly focused shot when too cropped! That is also why I initially said that I'd keep the picture as it was and without any cropping at all.

Thank you all for the advice - as I said I am learning.
DuQues, Andy and Joshilewis I value your opinions. DuQues I agree the Darter has probably crashed by now or is swimming outside the Park!!!
Please help with these :







Andy - Yes that Heron was out of focus

Frans

I would not do anything about them? They are good!

The only comment I have is about the first one, you didn't include the EXIF-info in your photo, but I'm guessing f/8 or f/11?
That's the reason you see so much background.
With birds you are best off using the widest opening possible, 'lifting' the bird from it's surroundings.

DuQues you were, as usual spot-on.
Sunbird : 1/500 8.0 ISO 400
Turaco : 1/250 5.6 ISO 800
Both with exp.comp. +1/3.
Apart from wrong exp. the ISO was also too high?
Frans

I agree with you DQ.
They are nice as they are and wouldn't change anything. Bravo!