Western Painted Turtle

[BCrose]

Out in the kayak this afternoon and came across this fellow sunning on a log.

[FlyingSquirrel]

Nice, Monte. The wider shot works much better for me. Would you be open to some constructive c&c? I'm not sure if you are ever wanting c&c or not. Let me know, as I have a comment.

Where I live, we have a bunch of non-native red-eared sliders mixed in with our native painted turtles. Kinda annoying.

[BCrose]

Nice, Monte. The wider shot works much better for me. Would you be open to some constructive c&c? I'm not sure if you are ever wanting c&c or not. Let me know, as I have a comment.

Where I live, we have a bunch of non-native red-eared sliders mixed in with our native painted turtles. Kinda annoying.

Certainly open to C&C. Always learning!

[Wavelength]

Both images have stunning finishing.....yet it is really a bit painful...the second image...why you did not include the reflection fully within the frame? If that happened.... the image would have been a masterpiece..... it is in human nature to worry about what is lost, than enjoying what has been achieved...probably i am that way here.....
Regards

[Wavelength]

Both images have stunning finishing.....yet it is really a bit painful...the second image...why you did not include the reflection fully within the frame? If that happened.... the image would have been a masterpiece..... it is in human nature to worry about what is lost, than enjoying what has been achieved...probably i am that way here.....
Regards

[BCrose]

Both images have stunning finishing.....yet it is really a bit painful...the second image...why you did not include the reflection fully within the frame? If that happened.... the image would have been a masterpiece..... it is in human nature to worry about what is lost, than enjoying what has been achieved...probably i am that way here.....
Regards

[Ken Curtis]

Nice images, Monte. It looks like the bottom image is slanting down to the right judging by where the water meets the log.

[Brownbear]

Gorgeous images Monte... I hope to capture the beauty of a turtle as you have... Gorgeous colours, detail, focus and composition.

The reflection for some reason I prefer the cropped reflection but I'm not sure why, and I know that we are not supposed to crop reflections... Still I prefer your crop... But #1 is my favourite

[BCrose]

Nice images, Monte. It looks like the bottom image is slanting down to the right judging by where the water meets the log.

You are correct. I replaced the image. I usually straighten my images that need it and many do as shooting from the kayak oftentimes gives me some awkward positions.
Lightroom 5's new tool for this does a great job quickly and easily.

[BCrose]

On the same log I snapped a shot of this Sandpiper with it's mate in the background. An odd looking kind of shot I think.

[Mike Buckley]

The last turtle image is a stunner and the Sandpiper image is nice too.

If this log remains in place, consider making a series of photos over years featuring the animals that come to rest on it.

[BCrose]

The last turtle image is a stunner and the Sandpiper image is nice too.

If this log remains in place, consider making a series of photos over years featuring the animals that come to rest on it.

Great idea! I already have many images on this log as it is on my route when I am out paddling. I should have thought of that

[FlyingSquirrel]

I was going to suggest the following:

- there is a blue cast throughout the photo, primarily on the shell. I believe the photo would be improved significantly if that blue cast was neutralized/removed. I am not an expert yet at post processing, and I don't have much experience removing color casts, though...I know there are more than a few folks on this forum that could explain how to do it

- for the wider shot, I'd prefer a different amount cropped off the bottom (but leaving the same photo width and placement). I'd crop the reflection just above where the neck and plastron meet (making sure to be above the plastron tip where the brighter light is reflecting) I think I'd prefer the photo proportions better with that crop, but more importantly I feel the reflection would be less distracting than it is now...the head being chopped off in the reflection is what bothers me. If you crop where I suggest, there is so little of the reflection left that it would be clear it is not a point of interest and you'd focus on the turtle and log. Just my opinion and how'd I'd handle it.

I prefer this photo with less of the reflection, partly because the water is not perfectly still so the reflection is blurred, but mostly because I think the turtle and log would better be featured larger.

My take on reflections: There are no rules for reflections, just as there are no rules for anything else in photography and art. There are some guidelines for things, but there are exceptions to just about all of them. I don't see any issue with cropping a reflection, and on the same note I do not feel that if there is a reflection that it is obligatory to feature it.

[Wavelength]

Oh, that was a hidden gift delivered only to those deserved??? heheheh...
Regards

[Wavelength]

I don't say the turtle image to be a masterpiece anymore...... because all pieces are from a Master
Well done, Well done