dove visiting

[Jill]

Hi we have doves that visit us regularly.
This is a young dove.
I took this this morning and loved the way the driftwood mimicked the shape of the feathers.
It could however be seen as distracting.
I converted to B/W to take away distraction of colour.
I wound love honest critique on this picture.
Thanks in advance

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Jill,

It works for me, although I have to confess the first thing I thought when I saw the shot was how uncomfortable the dove's neck looks!

Having got past that ...
It might be worth seeing if the beak and wood separation could be improved.
Also, I actually find myself wanting to see just a slither more on the left (unless it brings in something distracting), or alternatively take a slither off the right hand side, just to balance it more.

Both ideas are optional though.

You must have been quick on the trigger to recognise and shoot it, well done.

Cheers, Dave

PS there seemed to be a duplicate thread without the picture, which I deleted

[NorthernFocus]

The BW does work well IMO. The bird and FG wood grain compliment each other well. I do find the bright OOF wood grain in upper left to be a major distraction. That was THE first place that my eye went when I looked at the image. The in focus parts of the image are really lovely in BW.

[NorthernFocus]

Sorry if anyone read last post prior to edits. Blasted spell check ...

[Jill]

Thank for the feedback Dave and Dan
I have given more room to the left, tried to give separation with the beak and the wood and toned down the wood on the left.
I do appreciate your thoughts. I am always being told I crop too tight.
Thanks Jill

[Jill]

The black and white version.
Uploaded the wrong one previously, although now looking at it I think I like the colour one.
In this case the black and white is a bit harsh.
Thanks again for your feedback.

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured, good composition, use of patterns, and depth of field.

[NorthernFocus]

The extra room is nice and in the color version the BG is not a factor IMO. It's a very odd position on the bird but it works.

[Jill]

This is a very young dove, it is not yet one of the pack. It still expects to be fed but also feeds itself. As a youngster it flaps around to get attention so it will be fed. I guess the position is it is still experimenting with all aspects of life.

[IzzieK]

Jill. I love the colour version better...I am just wondering...what will happen if you edit out the fanned area of the wood at the top instead? Just thinking out loud...I am with Dave about the position of the bird's neck...must be hard work for her...

[Rebel]

I prefer the coloured version, I find the fanned area of the wood a bit of a distraction also.

[Jill]

Izzi and Matt
I think you are right, it does need to be toned down more or blurred.
When I took the photo I took it because his tail reflected the shape and texture of the wood behind but it is not really working.
Thanks for the feedback.

[bnnrcn]

I prefer the color version, beautiful bird.

[Wavelength]

This is one of the most unusual (B&W) dove image i have seen... it looks like an oil painting indeed.... Really great; i also and equally liked its original (color)

Regards

[ClaudioG]

I love both Jill...for me the tail feathers are just incredible...i would even just crop it all out and look all day at those tail feathers...y eye keeps going to the tail..my fave part..so colour and B+W both work for me

[Whistletown Wilds]

While I'm no expert I like the colored one, you nailed it!

[Stagecoach]

An unusual capture Jill and a quite powerful image. It's the colour version for me.

[DonnaK]

While I like the B&W, I am really drawn to the colors in the bird's feathers. Excellent exposure and details on the bird. I do like this one a lot.

[DEAN01]

I like the color shot, detail is great.

[Brownbear]

Hi Jill,

Just to say that I find these especially beautiful and artistic. I prefer the colour version but only because in b&w the wood grain draws my eye more than it does in the colour version (but I love the inclusion of this in the composition). I like the b&w more than the colour version because it has a fairy-tale story book look to it.