Need some help Part 1

[Harryb]

Hey You'll,

Normally I avoid contests, challenges, POTDs, etc like the plague. I have reluctantly decided to enter a couple of pics in the St. Augustine Alligator Farm's
photography contest in the bird and general categories. Last year's winner came be seen here. http://www.alligatorfarm.com/ (click on Groups and Events).

Anyhow I have the bird category down to these 4 pics. Which one would you go with?
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/24749108-L.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/24749114-L.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/24749117-L.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/24750381-L.jpg

[Allen]

They're all great. I think the snowy egret is very close behind the
cattle ergret. That pose shows atitude.
Beautiful,
Al

[wmsnyder]

Boy that is a tough call. Probably the first or second one. The only thing that keeps me from picking the second one is the leaves at the botttom front.

[bfjr]

You don't make it easy Boss. There all quality work +++

I can't pick right now either part 1 or 2 cause I want to come back a couple times and look again.

I am leaning towards one of the shots with babies (babies go over big) with rookerys, farms, marshlands etc. I believe they like these cause it shows growth and stability for that place. Make sense ??

[ginger_55]

My first thought is #1 or #3.

Off to upload.

Will look at the winner, previous. I personally, just my preference, do not like heads cut off...........maybe I will get used to it, do it myself sometimes.

Still love those woodstork babies.

ginger (I think I got a woodstork today) A nice one, I hope.

[jwear]

I am 1 and 4 but you know my taste aint normal so have some salt with my picks :D

[bfjr]

#1 here Harry
Laura and I agree here

and good luck :thumb

[davev]

Number 2.

All of the pics are great. I think the background in #2 is the most pleasing, and
isolates the bird more.

dave.

[Kirwin]

Hi Harry,

I'm having a difficult time picking a "fav" of the group.

I would easily vote for #1... except for the crop. #2 is beautiful because of the colors, but the beak is a bit soft, and again... I'm not found of the crop. #3 is best by far as comp, but not very "engaging" as compared to #1. #4 doesn't do anything for me. I dunno... sorry I'm no help here.:dunno

[tmlphoto]

All are great Harry. After giving it some thought I would choose #2. I would crop just a smidge off the bottom to lose the one OOF leaf on the left. This one has best look at the personality of the bird and the OOF background is great with very nice lighting. Good luck making your choice. I like #1 second best, just wish there was a tad more room on the left edge compo wise. The lighting is very striking, almost looks like a spotlight on the bird, and the array of feathers is something different. The lighting is very flat on #3. The lighting on #4 is the best of all, I only wish the bird was looking around just a little more. Lots of very minor nits, they are all very well done. Tough choice.

[Mitchell]

Nice shots. I prefer #2 but this will need some cropping or PS to make it a winner. #4 does not grab me at all.


Good luck!

mitch

[dragon300zx]

Trying to enter a contest with such second rate photography tsk tsk tsk. I mean you don't even have a 500mm Lense in your hands yet.

Ok all joking and petty jealousy aside.
I can't choose either. How technical are the judges of the photography. I gotsta say my pick would be number 1. Something about it just seems so magazine like. The others are great but #1 is what I would expect to see if I was reading a book about egrets.

[Rufio220]

They are all nice. But i would personaly go with number one.

[BigAl]

#2, but as others have said, clone out the leaves .

regards
alan

[ginger_55]

The problem with #1 is that it is an egret "do". They do that, we photograph it: all of us. I have it in many ways, albeit not as technically perfect, etc. That is what I would see as the "problem", other entries of the same thing.

The great thing about #1 is the great detail in those feathers: the ones the opposite sex must love. It might just be the best one ever done.

On the other hand, there is not a whole bird...........

I am sure glad it is not me picking. Or winning, smile.:clap Or not.:cry

I read yesterday that photographers are terrible at picking their own work, the article was a LensWork thing.

I don't see an answer here. Harry, why did you pick these finalists? Is there one that we would all look at and say "oh yesssss" that is the one, and as I do, you would say "why?", it is nothing compared to these others?

I wonder that now, not that you would be comfortable going with our fave. Which one do you like?

ginger

[ginger_55]

#3 is a whole bird, that is a thought.

Also, Andy picked it out of a "set" the other day, I remember that.

Look at us, we are all over the map.:dunno

g

[BigAl]

#3 is a whole bird, that is a thought.

Also, Andy picked it out of a "set" the other day, I remember that.

Look at us, we are all over the map.:dunno

g
Just a thought on my part here: I remember when I was still active in a photography club, photos like #1 & #3 would get hammered because the animal would bump its head on the frame if it moved. The consensus then was to give animals some room in the frame to "move into".

I agree with Ginger, give us four good pics to choose from - you'll get four choices.

regards
alan

[Harryb]

#2, but as others have said, clone out the leaves .

regards
alan
Thanks Al but cloning ain't allowed in the contest. Darn those pesky leaves.

[digismile]

I chose #1 then #2 (before looking at last year's winners).

#1 is similar to one of last years winners. Don't know if that's good or bad ...

Brad

[ChrisJ]

I'm partial to #1. I really want to know what he's looking at in #3! :):

[Khaos]

This is a really tough call between #1 and #3.

I love the lighting in #1 but the clarity and comp in #3 is stunning as well. I can't decide between the two.:dunno

[Mongrel]

These are all great shots, but if I have to pick a 'winner', I vote for number 3.

I think it has the best lighting, pose, and composition.

Number one is a close second, but for me, not as interesting as number three.

Number two is showing a lot of digital artifacts on the left. Not sure how it will look printed, but as far as viewing online, it's a turn off. This may make a difference since you can't 'clone it out'.

But, again-very nice shots. Your photography has grown leaps and bounds from what I remember say two years ago. You are consistantly putting out very high class stuff :thumb

Take care,

Mongrel

[Harryb]

Thanks to everyone who responded. All the responses were very helpful. I was unsure of which picture to enter. I was leaning towards the cattle egret but now I'm not sure. I like #1 but I'm not thrilled with the comp. The cattle egret has the colors but the comp I'm still unsure of. I just may cull these and reconsider a flight shot as an entry.

[windoze]

I havent read part two of this post, but id chose #2. I just wish i could tell you why...... Its just because out of the four I find #2 most appealing... I cant come up though with any good reasons though....

so i guess " dont listen to me" but id go with #2


troy