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Last week I shared a shot of a Double-crested Cormorant landing on a marsh in the fog and asked what changes might improve it. I inadvertently attributed the photograph to Avneet Kaur – it was actually taken by Bajadreamer.
Interestingly enough there were very few responses to the inquiry; the ones I received said they liked it just as it was. I’m guessing others had the same thought so they didn’t send back a suggestion as to how to improve it.
As for me, I don’t know if it can be transformed into a Great Bird Pic. Although it is interesting, nothing in it really grabs me. I would try a couple of edits just to see if it could look better. First, I would pull in the bottom of the frame (keeping the same aspect ratio) closer to the bird’s reflection. This would reduce some of the distracting reeds on the bottom and increase the size of the bird. Then I would try darkening the bird even more – either by decreasing the overall exposure or increasing the contrast. The bird now looks hazy (it is in the haze) but perhaps making it into more of a black silhouette might increase the interest.
Thanks again to Bajadreamer for submitting his photo and inviting us to comment. I enjoy these exercises and encourage everyone to offer their opinions on future photographs.
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