Mute Swan + repost

Taken at a local estuary where the light was reflecting unusually on the water
Probably a bit different from the norm I have cropped slightly to take out the top of the body but still not convinced about the composition
Thoughts?

Techs
Nikon D80
300 F4 + 1.4 converter
Matrix
Aperture priority
ISO 200
1/800s
F8
-0.7EV

Yep, the water does have an unusual look to it Stephen {sort of like an oil effect, although hopefully it isn't }

Not sure about the comp personally, but can't put my finger on it.

Maybe had the neck been in a curved position, it would have complimented the curved ripples, although such things are beyond our control.

Either way, its always worth asking for different opinions.

Alan

I love the water patterns but not too struck on the composition of the swan,


Ian

That water looks like it would have made a superb image all on its own Stephen

The PoV is too high though for the swan, and there's no perspective in the shot - for head shots of long-necked birds like swans or geese you really do need to be photographing them at eye level and isolate them from the BG

Andy

Thanks for the feedback

Couldn't quite put my finger on why it didn't work - lower POV could make the difference

Stephen

A worthwhile attempt at a different picture, but it really doesn't work for me. The bill looks a bit dull and the colours flat. Perhaps a little bit more contrast and saturation would liven it up a bit. Others will know better than me. You could try taking a vertical crop from the original, so that the bird fills the frame more, that might help.
Eric

Would work better with more swan's-eye level view and more colour to the swan itself, but the water looks great

Different crop and a boost in contrast and saturation as suggested

Stephen