Hi Ian, I think you have a very unique & distinctive style to your photography and anyone who knows your imagery over the many years can easily spot it, which in many respects is good. For me, I would remove the vegetation in the BG, although I am not one for cloning or huge amounts of PP. The minimalist looks good.
TFS
Steve
Posted by Oscar Dewhurst on September 22, 2010 at 4:06 PM
Fantastic light, composition, and POV , but I agree about the reeds beside the coot.
Oscar
Posted by Ian Mason on September 22, 2010 at 4:47 PM
Fascinating - I love the reeds!!
Posted by Geoffrey Baker on September 22, 2010 at 5:18 PM
A lovely shot, the reeds are a bit of a distraction but they're natural.
Well done.
Geoff.
Posted by Scott Tilley on September 22, 2010 at 5:32 PM
Well, I can't make my mind up about the reeds!! I think the image benefits from them being there but the reed bending over towards the coot keeps distracting my eye away. I'm still looking at it so it must work!
Scott
Posted by Chris O'Reilly on September 22, 2010 at 6:13 PM
Ian, I guess an alternative approach would have been to place the bird on the right, thus minimising the impact of the reed. In light of the bird's direction I can see why you've composed it this way.
I don't dislike the reed; it naturalises the image and makes a nice change from the sanitised, 'perfect' digital picture.
Cheers,
Chris
Cheers,
Chris
Posted by Craig Jones on September 23, 2010 at 3:03 AM
POV,Light,Exposure,Composition all great Ian but I do find the right hand side a little distracting
You have a very distinctive style which I love. I am a great fan of low POV shots I hope we see much more of your pond work soon.
My only nit is the broken reed to thr right of the bird. But it is natural and it is your choice to clone it or leave it in. Hats off for being so honest and leaving it in.
Shaun
Posted by Jeff Harrison on September 23, 2010 at 5:23 AM
A beautifully captured and classic 'Ian Mason' style of image. As to the reeds, I'm a little undecided but on balance and given that they are a natural part of the scene and give the image an added element I think I'd keep them in
Posted by Neil Burton on September 23, 2010 at 5:34 AM
There is something watercolour about the reeds being there, despite the distracting nature of them.
Posted by Karen Summers on September 23, 2010 at 6:19 AM
I like this very much the pov is excellent and the light is lovely reeds can stay for me
Posted by John Robinson on September 24, 2010 at 5:56 AM
Great stuff. Good whites on the head.
Maybe a portrait crop would solve everyones problems ?
JohnR
Posted by Lee fisher on September 24, 2010 at 11:27 AM
Love the light and the low POV on this shot, A cracker mate
Lee
Discussion
15 repliesJust getting round to processing some pond images from a year ago! Something a wee bit different this time and I welcome honest critique as always.
LARGER VERSION
Paul.
TFS
Steve
Oscar
Well done.
Geoff.
Scott
I don't dislike the reed; it naturalises the image and makes a nice change from the sanitised, 'perfect' digital picture.
Cheers,
Chris
Cheers,
Chris
You have a very distinctive style which I love. I am a great fan of low POV shots I hope we see much more of your pond work soon.
My only nit is the broken reed to thr right of the bird. But it is natural and it is your choice to clone it or leave it in. Hats off for being so honest and leaving it in.
Shaun
Maybe a portrait crop would solve everyones problems ?
JohnR
Lee