I think it depends on what you want the image to be about. As is it is more about the reflections than the duck. The reflections are almost too piercing for my eyes. I would want it to be more about the duck, and tone the reflections down quite a bit, which makes the whole image easier on the eyes.
I'd go somewhere in between original and re-post, taming some of the intensities of the saturated and bright reflections, but retaining more in the duck.
Beautiful either way...
Nice photo and idea. I like more the original. But I would somehow prefer the beak to be more neutral. I see two "attractive" possibilities. One is to turn the beak not so saturated yellow, like a signal. The other is simply to reduce saturation of the beak alone. My two cents
grandmas wrote:
I think it depends on what you want the image to be about. As is it is more about the reflections than the duck. The reflections are almost too piercing for my eyes. I would want it to be more about the duck, and tone the reflections down quite a bit, which makes the whole image easier on the eyes.
Thanks for the comments, GM. Sorry to hear you didn’t get what my image was all about. So, let me clarify.
As you always point out, the photograph's title always strengthens the meaning of a photograph. Titles draw attention to specific details or aspects of the image that the photographer wants to emphasize, suggest a particular way of viewing the photograph guiding the viewer's interpretation, and reinforcing the photographer's intended message.
The title of a photograph represents a sort of “connection” between the photographer's vision and the viewer's experience.
So, when I titled my photo “Colorful Reflections” I thought it would certainly guide the viewer to an easy interpretation of want the intent of my image is about. Maybe you didn't read it.
So, while I appreciate your suggestions and the time you spent to edit the photo, making it about the duck defies my intent on this image.
sbeme wrote:
I'd go somewhere in between original and re-post, taming some of the intensities of the saturated and bright reflections, but retaining more in the duck.
Beautiful either way...
Scott
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Scott.
Those reflection were really shiny bright and saturated. I even reduced their sat during the editing to compensate for the increase of contrast. May be dimming a bit would still work.
hanay78 wrote:
Nice photo and idea. I like more the original. But I would somehow prefer the beak to be more neutral. I see two "attractive" possibilities. One is to turn the beak not so saturated yellow, like a signal. The other is simply to reduce saturation of the beak alone. My two cents
Thanks for your comments.
Looking at my image, I believe you are right about the duck’s bill being too saturated and I can see it could be of distraction. Looks more reddish than yellow on my monitor though.
In any case thanks for pointing that out. Good point!
Shasoc wrote:
Thanks for the comments, GM. Sorry to hear you didn’t get what my image was all about. So, let me clarify.
As you always point out, the photograph's title always strengthens the meaning of a photograph. Titles draw attention to specific details or aspects of the image that the photographer wants to emphasize, suggest a particular way of viewing the photograph guiding the viewer's interpretation, and reinforcing the photographer's intended message.
The title of a photograph represents a sort of “connection” between the photographer's vision and the viewer's experience.
So, when I titled my photo “Colorful Reflections” I thought it would certainly guide the viewer to an easy interpretation of want the intent of my image is about. Maybe you didn't read it.
So, while I appreciate your suggestions and the time you spent to edit the photo, making it about the duck defies my intent on this image.
For both images, I have the opinion that it could be beneficial to reduce the blue reflections. In the second one, I would reduce more the beak and in general the duck saturation. To me blue tones have no space in this photograph. I would feel more visualy pleased if the blue reflection are just neutral.
I like more the first one. I feel that the composition is more immersive. The duck fully inside of the reflection.
Shasoc wrote:
Thanks for your comments.
Looking at my image, I believe you are right about the duck’s bill being too saturated and I can see it could be of distraction. Looks more reddish than yellow on my monitor though.
In any case thanks for pointing that out. Good point!
I think it depends on what you want the image to be about.
So, the title “Colorful Reflections” wasn’t clear enough to you to understand what my image is about?
Spoiler: it is about “colorful reflections”.
I would want it to be more about the duck, and tone the reflections down quite a bit
Sounds to me like you are saying that I should change the intent of my photo and edit it in accordance to your intent.
You may not like how the photo was presented, and that is fine, but suggesting to change the message in somebody else’s photo doesn’t sound like a critique, that sounds more like conceit, bordering on arrogance.
hanay78 wrote:
I am watching now your image in my Eizo monitor.
For both images, I have the opinion that it could be beneficial to reduce the blue reflections. In the second one, I would reduce more the beak and in general the duck saturation. To me blue tones have no space in this photograph. I would feel more visualy pleased if the blue reflection are just neutral.
I like more the first one. I feel that the composition is more immersive. The duck fully inside of the reflection.
Thanks for further elaborating your comments.
I like the first image as well for the same reason.
I tried to reduce the blue tones to neutral and I didn't like the results. The way I see it is that the other colors are so powerful that you can hardly notice the blue color.
I really don't mind that little touch of blue (sky/water reflection?). But different people see colors in different ways.
Shasoc wrote:
Thanks for further elaborating your comments.
I like the first image as well for the same reason.
I tried to reduce the blue tones to neutral and I didn't like the results. The way I see it is that the other colors are so powerful that you can hardly notice the blue color.
I really don't mind that little touch of blue (sky/water reflection?). But different people see colors in different ways.
Appreciate the comments
Socrate
In simple terms, an
opinion is a personal belief or judgment (I gave mine), while a critique is a more structured and analytical evaluation of something, often including an opinion (again I included mine) but also providing reasoning and evidence.
Why do you keep posting for a critique when you don’t really want them?
grandmas wrote:
In simple terms, an
opinion is a personal belief or judgment (I gave mine), while a critique is a more structured and analytical evaluation of something, often including an opinion (again I included mine) but also providing reasoning and evidence.
Why do you keep posting for a critique when you don’t really want them?
GM, you probably think that telling a poster: "you should post a different image" is a critique. Or, like you said, it is just your opinion?. May be you have the words critique and criticism confused.
I post my images on the Critique Forum because I know I will get a lot of great comments and suggestions, aimed to improve my images and to better deliver their messages, from competent photographers who's quality of work I appreciate.
BTW, is that the reason why you never post images on this Forum? Because you don’t really want critiques?
I simply gave my opinion and critique. If you already have your image like you want it post in the nature forum. I don't post to argue about what I post. Use the posts you like and move on. Asking for advise when you don't want to hear what others say makes no sense.
Late to the party so I may have missed your original. I do like the one now posted up top - and it think desaturating the bill helps separate BG and subject.
Those ripples are wild. I like the crop - getting an ellipse around the subject with the reflective line leading in works well.
bmike-vt wrote:
Late to the party so I may have missed your original. I do like the one now posted up top - and it think desaturating the bill helps separate BG and subject.
Those ripples are wild. I like the crop - getting an ellipse around the subject with the reflective line leading in works well.
Thanks for the comments, Mike. Yeah, in the original edit the bill was too saturated, creating a distraction. Hanay made a good point.
Imagemaster wrote:
This is the Critique Forum isn't it. Don't want negative feedback, positive feedback, or any feedback, don't post an image on this forum.
Too contrasty for me, but that is just my taste.
Good to hear from you Tony Thanks for the comments and the suggestions. Nice re-edit.
I agree with you. If somebody doesn’t want negative feedback, positive feedback, or any feedback, they shouldn’t post an image on this forum.
May be that is the reason why there are very few posters in this forum.
For me, personally, I put my image in this Forum with the hope that we all can get some education. And I understand somebody not liking something. I am fine with that. There is nothing wrong with personal taste and with not liking something.
I also always accept all kinds of comments and critiques, especially the so-called “negative” ones, because I don’t think there are negative critiques. As long as they are constructive and help with the intent, I consider all critiques, negative or positive, always being positive.
I consider and weigh well those who find shortfalls, but, at the same time I ponder whether they have ground or not. I have the will and the curiosity to read with interest all opinions, but also, I need to use my good sense to filter which opinions to go along with, choosing those that help moving my images in the direction I want to move, especially if those opinions are negative because only those critiques will help me improve, while ignoring ineffective feedback that have no contest of the intent or goal of the photographer, or focus on shortfalls without offering any suggestion for improvement.
As I said: as long as the comments are constructive and are offered with positive intent, they are all positive for me and I am always willing to re-edit my images applying their suggestions, as I always do.
You should only be concerned about someone liking one of your images if they are a client that paid for your image. The only other person that needs to critique your images is yourself.
Few people post on this forum because they don't like the feedback and there are the same posters most of the time asking and giving critiques.
I never enter photo contests. Look at the winners of most photo contests and how many of those choices you disagree with. Unfortunately, certain forums on this site give you false feedbacks. e.g. certain members only hit the 'Like' button in order to receive 'Likes' in return. In addition, you will see no 'Dislike' button. If one says they don't like an image they are flamed for being harsh or rude for giving their true opinion.
