First Post - Goose

[ff151]

Hey Guys,

I am new to these forums, hi everyone ! Here is a shot I took while I was out flyfishing on a local river. This was taken from my P&S as I don't trust myself taking my D200 on the river! Please critique

[jiminyClickit]

ff151, Welcome

The water in the foreground has some golden tones that are interesting. And a headless goose, not as interesting. As a main subject, it would be better to see a clear shot of all the animal, and if a slightly OOF gosling is dipping underwater in the background, that would be OK. Composition is strong and would have complemented a good goose portrait. Where timing is everything, take the time, get as many shots as animal allows. Very good first post, photographically.

[ff151]

Thanks Jiminy for your comments

I did take numerous pictures of the geese in the water, but I found this one interesting from a few points..

1) the turbulance in the water around the gooses neck
2) I thought it was "going against the norm" to capture a picture without the whole animal in it I have read over and over that sometimes the best pics are going against the rules
3) I call the picture "hiding", hehe, the goose knew I was there and she like many women, didn't want her picture taken

[jiminyClickit]

ff151,

1) turbulence around legs would work as well
2) think about the number of stunning photos that don't deliberately go "against the norm" and you'll find that reasoning is used mostly to justify a shot. Going against basic good technique does not make a photograph good. A good photograph is not a rebellious act. It is a rare combination of thought, creativity, patience and luck, some or all of these playing a part.
3) titles are fun, and Lord knows I appreciate a good one. Now remove all of what you've written, let the photo stand on its own merit, no explanations. What do you see? In basic photography, your eyes are all that count in the end. Ears are for music.

[ff151]

Point taken

Thanks

FF

[jiminyClickit]

ff151,

Sometimes it helps to have a particular subject rub the wrong way, as with the idea of breaking rules. It isn't as much about your photo as it is hoping you will learn every possible way to take a good photo first, long before you decide to experiment. The best in every field has been grounded in essential knowledge first. Mavericks are too rare to depend on that as a technique. Try many new things, yes, using universally accepted, time-tested information. An occassional fluke is a gift. Most photographs are the result of hard work before, concentration during, and presentation after.

Best of luck, and learning, on your next photograph.

[clockdoc]

Hi. Your Kodak DX6490 did a great job of freezing the splash at 1/750 sec shutter speed, which you probably needed at the 300mm (35mm equiv) focal length. However the shot doesn't grab my attention right away. There is too much going on as my eye doesn't know where to stop or settle in the photo. Too bad 2 of the geese decided to become 'headless' when you took the shot as I think I would have preferred seeing the whole bird. Two appear to be 'babies' in looking at their feathers. Your shot is nicely cropped.

[ff151]

Hey Jiminy and Clockdoc

I am open to your honesty and critiques ! Thankyou ! When I posted "point taken", I meant that in a good way. I am here to learn

Thanks for the comments doc Like I said, I am here to learn so any comments are appreciated !

I have read the rules and know I am only supposed to post one picture per thread. The only reason I am posting this second shot is this one I PURPOSEFULLY took a pic of the whole bird

[jiminyClickit]

ff151,

Nature being what it is, this one faced right at you. Parts of both of your photos are really well done. That's why Naturalists take many different shots as quickly as possible, given the quirks of their models. If goose in first shot had just raised its head a second . . . Take it all as observation, always about the little bits of light and how they get there. Critique is for learning everything you can about how your photo affects others, and how to make your next ones more effective. Hope that happens.

Posting other shots as followup and/or edit is OK.