The Silent Hunter

[JJthethird]

I took this shot of a Barn Owl while out and about, little bit of PP done. Do you think it needs anything else done to it? I quite like it as is, but I always like alternative opinions.



John.

[jiminyClickit]

JJthethird,

Great as is, only question is right side: if there's some interest there, it's too dark to be appreciated. If it's only a shadowed light pattern, it distracts. Then, portrait would give a better frame.

[stevesutt89]

I quite like this the way it is. Im not really sure about the illuminated wall...or whatever.....in background, on one hand it does do a little bit of distracting, but on the other hand, it gives the impression that this photo was taken in a dark and gloomy room with high windows letting in moon light that fall on the wall and the owl-which i really like. Whilst the photo was probably not taken in a dark and gloomy room with high windows, the effect is there and i like it. Do as you will, thats just what i thought about when i saw this photo

[JJthethird]

Thanks for the comments,

The thinking behind this shot was, like you say steve, that it was meant to be viewed as if it was in a barn at night, the owls natural habitat. The shot was actually taken at a wildlife rescue centre called "The Sanctuary".
The owl was in a large enclosure with wire mesh,in fairly bright sunlight, hence the shadows on the wood, which I tried to use to convey the nighttime feel. I guess if it is a distraction then its back to the drawing board, but that is why I like a few more opinions. Thanks for taking the time to help,

John.

[tokyowars]

While I am VERY limited in my knowledge of digital photography, (cheap point and shoot camera, and just beginning with no photography background knowledge and only art theory behind me), I personally think the photo would benefit by losing the illuinated patch. The split with the darkness looks amazing on the owl, but I find myself distracted by the faint light.

By making the remainder of the photo dark, you could have the 'thirds' perspective that seems so desirable in photos.

[JJthethird]

Hi tokyowars, thanks for the feedback. I guess that illuminated wooden post is acting as a distraction to most of you who have replied. I may lose it and save the result as a copy, but I'm still keeping the one with the post as it was how I pictured the scene in my mind. I guess its a personal thing, lol.
By the way, welcome to the forum.

John.

[stevesutt89]

After coming back to this post, i now realise that i too really like the the illuminated patch because of the story it tells. It may just be a personal thing, but to me thats what makes this a great photo rather than just a good one. To me with this illuminated patch the picture has meaning, without it, it is just a well executed picture of a bird. Even if you do crop the illuminated section off, i definately think that the original should be kept.

Hmmm......this is very sureal....i feel quite strongly about this, but i don't know why.........maybe its because i have taken some ok-looking, but pointless photos ...............i really should try and fix that.................


sorry about that, i just had bit of a revelation, i'll try not to let it happen again

[JJthethird]

LOL, cheers steve, Its a relief to see that at least one person sees the shot in a similar way to how I saw it. I was starting to think I wasnt seeing what everyone else was. Thank you for restoring my faith in my eye, lol.

John.

[jiminyClickit]

JJthethird,

It helps if you express an intention for the photograph in the beginning, as a critique can assess whether you got close to that goal, or if not, how you might acheive your goal. Glad I waited to try an approach to an image in place of words, so you can see what I described. I kept your shadowed post, got rid of a lot of black, left owl alone:

[JJthethird]

Great job Jiminy, I apologise about not giving a description of what I intended the shot to represent when I first posted it. I understand how it would make critique a little easier if I had done. I actually, in retrospect, think that I probably should have posted it with the original in the "Before and after" thread and instead of, or as well as, critique asked for what people thought of the transformation. Thank you for taking the time to demonstrate your critique, it definately brings the owl out as the main focal point.

Cheers,

John.