Silhouette of bird with grasshopper in its mouth

Magnificent! I'll bet he can't whistle with a grasshopper in his beak.

The silhouette isn't particularly interesting [the fact he's perched on the end of the spindley little branch is more interesting]. While the background is kind of nice it dwarfs the bird and isn't a nice enough bg to carry the pic. If this was a full frame frontlit shot of the bird where i could see its colors [since it has a boring sil.] and the grasshopper clamped in its beak i think it would have some appeal to me.

Yeah, it's an interesting shot, but not very compelling. I'd be interested to see how the elves recomposed it, to better understand why they felt centering the bird was necessary. It's a "nice, but..." shot.

 

I think his "Moonrise at Zion" shot from the same folder is much more compelling.

I wonder why "The centered composition bothered

some of us". Is that meaning the centered couldn't be good enough. Or, everyone should follow 2/3 rule. These are only theories and verdict shows that lives goes it's own way. Otherwise we would have uses computers to crop our photos in perfect ratio according to the subject. This photo is very simple but that doesn't equal not good enough to be the POW, fortunately. It's simple but great.

I'm intrigued and indifferent at the same time hence the "middle of the road" ratings. I can't decide if it is an "adequate" concept well rendered or an "adequate" rendering of a great concept.

It's not shown in the details, but I was wondering if this was shot with slide or print film? I like the concept, but would like to see a little more saturation or contrast between the hazy white background and the blue, resulting in three "layers" of the image. Enough nit picking.

 

Congrats on POW!

It is getting to a point that I feel sorry for anyone who gets POW~! It is the "elves" that pick the shots and the poor unsuspecting photographer that puts up an image he likes -- never expects it will get picked and ripped apart as if she/he put it out there as "the best of the best". We put our work up because we like it or because we're hoping to get some constructive feedback or praise. That praise helps us to know we are on the right track and there is nothing like positive and kind constructive comments from fellow artists to inspire and learn. You don't have to love an image that is picked or agree that it is your pick of Photo of the Week - but you don't have to make blatant and almost rude comments to make a point. As often is the case with the POW, I found other images in Chris Hawkin's folder that I liked better... Art is subjective. It is, however, a unique image and I love the background color and lighting. I do have a bit of trouble with all the empty space on both sides... but that is only my opinion.. And, as with all constructive feedback -- should be taken with a grain of salt... as opinions are not facts...only the single and subjective perspective of one of the many opinions out there.

eh- i really don't et this one, they could have picked yet another one from tony drummet, but this is just boring, sorry

I don't agree the bird is too small and there is too much space around it. Birds fly in the sky and need space! I like watching birds against sky and the sky is always a part of the scenery, I wouldn't omit it if I could make a shot of such a bird.

I think the reason I like this photo so much is how it first appeared to me.

 

The background looked like glassy water with a bright light focused right behind the bird. The branch on which the bird is pearched appeared to be the bird's shadow on the surface of the water. That looked very cool. Then I saw what it really was.

 

Having to take a second look is why I like it so much. It's quite abstract (or can appear so at first glance). I think the image size is fine and the space is fine, etc., etc., etc. Forget the "rules." This is a nice photo.

I agree with Micehal and Andy, but disagree with Mary. Art is subjective and there is nothing worng in saying that a picture is not appealing to me. If I fnd that a picture is good I appreciate otherwise not. Why should I be unnecessarily sophisticated to say, whatever may be the POW, that a particular picture is OK to be POW, even though I feel it is not worth it. It is up to the photographer to take my comments +ly/-vely. The present picture is certainly good, for the kind of opportunity it cannot be better, with my limited knowledge I see that there are no obvious technical faults. But I would expect a better picture for POW.

I'm a hobbyist, so I can't critique the picture's technical merits. However, I should be proud to have captured such a shot. As a bird perched upon a branch, not so satisfying...but with a grasshopper in it's mouth! What is the likelihood of catching such a moment? Good job.

I like the simplicity of this shot and I agree with the elves that it is beautiful and unusual. The silhouette against the gray background, the muddled light framing the subject, the detail of the unfortunate bug and frankly the placement of the subject all work together to make this an interesting and somewhat provocative shot, (as evidenced by the comments.) It obvious that some of the elves struggled over their decision in an attempt to apply a personal perspective to the photographers vision. Fortunately they let the photograph speak for itself. A wise choice.

 

Great portfolio Chris.

Congratulations/condolences on being picked for POW.

 

Chris,

 

Congrats on a beautiful picture. The light in the background perfectly silhouettes the main point of interest, the bird. The totally blurred background and silhouette with no front lighting gives a mysterious aspect to the photo that I find compelling. This isn't what Audobon would have drawn, but I think it makes for a wonderful picture.

 

So, a little artsy (therefore a little controversial); well thought out presentation of the bird for maximum impact (you obviously worked to get the proper angle and background); perfect exposure so that bird and meal are discernable. Heck, this is a great POW choice.

..and it's beautiful. There is no doubt.

Thier must be some great wildlife shot`s on photo.net that could have learn`t us all something about this subject.Instead we get this one set your camera to programed shoot in to the sun job done, Sorry it boring.

My first impression of this picture irrespective of its POW status was; I cant believe somebody would waste time, film, and batteries on such a mundane shot. What is so special about a sparrow perched at the tip of an evergreen tree. This very same situation must be available to millions of photographers a million times a day. There isnt even a technical WOW factor here.

 

But then I started thinking about it in a more psychological abstract light. Maybe we have started to take the beauty of this scene for granted simply because it is so common. Would it be more impressive if there were only a couple dozen sparrows left on Earth? A quote from the good book; Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? Luke 12:6. Last week we had the simplicity of composition, this week it is the simplicity of subject matter.

 

I think the soft, obscure, horizontal star/oval light source fills the space on the sides nicely and contrasts the vertical, clear, sharp needles of the evergreen nicely. There is nothing wrong with it being centered. Some picture should be centered, just look at George Forsss QE II .

 

Thanks to the photographer and the elves for bringing to light some of the little things we take for granted every day.

 

I like this photo a lot more when it is closely cropped in as a vertical composition. I would crop off a lot on the top and the sides keeping it centered horizontally (or maybe a little to the left as the bird is looking to the right).

 

PS - (Mary) to expect people to only have positive comments on the pictures people upload here is silly. A constructive comment is much more helpful than a simple "10/10 nice picture!" comment can ever be. People don't upload their pictures here just expecting praise but instead are saying "what do YOU think?" and most won't go postal when someone doesn't like their picture. Show 1 picture to a 1000 people and you're going to get 1000 DIFFERENT views. It is up to the photographer to learn from this feedback and how he/she can improve their skills.

 

My 3 1/2 cents...

 

I probably would have shifted the frame to a 45 degree angle, before pushing the trigger. (Adelaide S.A.)

As far as this pic goes - it's allright. So it doesn't rock MY world - who cares? More importantly, I think; does it work for the photographer? After all, isn't personal gratification why we do this? Sure it's nice to get people to fawn over our work; (I've heard... that ain't happened to me personally :) ) but isn't that slightly smug inner feeling of "yeah, that pic'll work" what drives us?

 

To PSS to Sheldon's PS to Mary - I believe Mary said "constructive" comments - not just "positive"... I assume telling someone what we like/don't like about a shot - or - how we would've approached a shot vs. a generic compliment.

 

Or worse; the dreaded "OH MY GOD! - that thing is less than garbage and not even fit for MY trash..." And is anyone else amused that some of the harshest, most pompous-a@#ed critics on this site have posted... NOTHING.

 

hmmmm...

 

 

 

 

 

Wonder why it's photo of the week

After reading comments to several POW I think that some of you behave like "rats in the race", and are frustrated every time someone's else photo has been chosen POW. Furthermore very often opinions are schematic, copied from manuals and others members comments. In addition to that there are "lovely" themes which occur much more often than other or are praised much more (like anthelope canyon for instance). Some members like Michael Spinak, Ethan Moses, or Kyle Martens have come to the conclusion that high rating of their photos entitle them to feel superior to the rest, less rated. As a result they cast comments like:

"I cant believe somebody would waste time, film, and batteries on such a mundane shot." I feel disgusted reading such, brr..... hard to say comments. So having in mind of all that I think that "elves" are right. There should be someone not involved directly in the "race" to brake it and bring members to reality. To remind that art is subjective, that photography is not coping the same point of view and the same perspective, and the same subject, following the same schematic rules of composition. Entering the PhotoNet I read that it is self learnig community not self promoting as some of you reckon, Oscars are given in different place. So I agree with Mary Bell in many respects and say to some of the members stop behaving like that, relax, think a bit before putting down a rude opinion. Ask yourself: is your comment constructive? is it going to help someone in development and learnig? Are you frustrated by someones POW, why? Do you like good opinions more than photography, taking photos in the field?

So be constructive not destructive, in the long run all of us will profit from that.

 

(As all of you I don't agree with "elves" concernig some of POW but it's not a reason to add stupid comments).

Centering the bird in this photo works for me. The background glow adds interest. I suspect this photo involved a lucky moment where time for considerations of composition and settings were limited. Art is subjective...I for one like this photo...its simple, pleasant to my eyes and a bit different.

this is an interesting composition but not so appealing. the exposure is not impressive and the background doesn't look like real. the silhouette is fine but i would have loved some details of the bird.

I don't know about centering in this picture. The light coming through the clouds draws my attention to the bird and tree. However, the rest of the picture is blank space, and I have to make myself look. I don't know If I am really coming through clearly, let me try again. When I look at the picture, I am drawn to the middle. Then I have to drag my eye across the rest of the picture for nothing. I don't believe that this picture does a good job of centered composition, the crop that was suggested has a much better flow... To Me:)

 

Congratualtions on the POW, this one isn't my favorite, but to each his own.

 

Matt