Posted by Andy Astbury on December 7, 2012 at 7:45 AM
I'm with John on this Nick - not too sure about the crop and the reasoning behind it, but other than that it looks like a damn good shot
Posted by David Sewell on December 7, 2012 at 7:53 AM
I can only echo what others have said - it is a cracking shot, but needs more space on the left.
David
Posted by Bob Johnson on December 7, 2012 at 8:23 AM
Nits covered Nick but a smart bird at the end of the day
Bob
Posted by Andy Shepherd on December 7, 2012 at 11:13 AM
Agree with the nits re the crop, but this is razor sharp and has a great clarity to it. Nicely taken, Nick.
Andy...
Posted by Nick Mckeown on December 7, 2012 at 11:23 AM
Thanks for the comments folks but I am confused by the comments on the crop. Firstly the crop is a standard 12x10 format which I use quite regulary and secondly the space to the left of the bird is, in my eyes at least, sufficient due to the good eye contact of the bird. The reason why I am saying this is because Steve K posted a vertical shot of a snowy owl which is clearly looking to the right but has hardly any space in which to look and the eye contact is not as clear as that of the blackbird. I have always thought that the cropping of an image is very personal and this clearly shows it. Sorry folks but I don't get it and what is wrong with a "squarish" crop?
Nick.
Posted by John Robinson on December 7, 2012 at 11:32 AM
Nick
In actual fact i often do a squarish crop but usually whenthe subject wont sit right any other way. I just feel that in this case a little more canvas left would be better. But no big deal as the birds head is in the right place. Steves pic is completely different.
But as you say each to their own.
JR
Nick, I agree, cropping is a personal choice, however you can crop using Rule of thirds to help build a strong composition at times, an easily implemented grid when using the crop tool in CS6, or you just crop to what suits your eye. The almost square crop in this instance I feel, boxes the subject in too tight and therefore going more 'rectangular' offers more room for the subject to breathe and to balance within the space IMHO. I guess it's all down to what we like.
Good clarity & sharpness.
Steve
Posted by keith mitchell on December 7, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Nick i'm certainly with you on this cropping and as been said many times it is a personal thing must admitt i do get a bit confused ,anyway to get back to your image like looking at any art work a lot is down to the viewer(technicalities aside) and what pleases the eye this pleases me just the way it is.
Keith.
Posted by Nick Mckeown on December 7, 2012 at 12:35 PM
With respect Steve the owl looks more "boxed in" and with more space to the left than the right looks unbalanced to my eye, the space above it is not room to breathe in but just dead space. Still do not understand the comments.
Nick.
Posted by David Taylor on December 8, 2012 at 11:51 AM
A dominatrix personified. A female blackbird rules the roost in my front garden. Crop and be damned, Nick.
Discussion
14 repliesTaken at garden feeding area. Up to 6 Blackbirds come into the garden to feed but also spend a lot of time chasing each other about.
Many thanks for the comments on my last post...greatly appreciated.
Nick.
Cheers
JR
Ian
David
Bob
Agree with the nits re the crop, but this is razor sharp and has a great clarity to it. Nicely taken, Nick.
Andy...
Nick.
In actual fact i often do a squarish crop but usually whenthe subject wont sit right any other way. I just feel that in this case a little more canvas left would be better. But no big deal as the birds head is in the right place. Steves pic is completely different.
But as you say each to their own.
JR
Good clarity & sharpness.
Steve
Nick.