Closer crop to make the three birds more prominent?

[tbob]

I will admit I caught the three sea birds by accident when shooting these breaking waves. However I think they make the image. Should they be larger at the expense of the remainder of the elements or are they a grace note as is?

Any other comments or suggestion welcome as well

[Mike Buckley]

I hope nobody forms an opinion without first viewing the image in the Lytebox.

For me, the image is as close to perfection as can be accomplished exactly as it is. The birds are not the primary subject; they play a supporting role especially well. Cropping to allow them to play a larger role would sacrifice so many other attributes that I wouldn't do that if the image was mine.

I just have to mention your treatment of the whitewater: wonderful!

[Saorsa]

I like the view of the birds as a part of the environment and not a subject in their own right.

I tried cropping aggressively but that looks like trying to make it a bird picture which it really isn't.

As an experiment I tried a slight crop with a little off the bottom and a tiny bit off the top. It give it more of a panorama aspect and, I think, the eye is led through the gap to the birds.

[IzzieK]

Errrr....there are 4 birds, not three...I like both. No push and pull there...this is the kind water shots I like, not the softy, softy ones. Beautiful scene. Beautiful shot.

[CaolIla]

I agree with Mike. Chasing the birds would be bad for the picture.

[tbob]

Errrr....there are 4 birds, not three...I like both. No push and pull there...this is the kind water shots I like, not the softy, softy ones. Beautiful scene. Beautiful shot.

I stand corrected. I am still considering whether it should stay.

There is one additional "bird"I was debating whether to remove not. I elected to leave it as it is funny and at the size I usually print at (20 by 22)a bit of a surprise when you figure out what it is. It is actually a combination of shadow on the top of the column of rock below it and a crevice in the main rock. Fooled me initially but now I like it as it is another intriguing element that adds to the durability of looking at the image. It also mirrors the "bird" you reminded me about.

[Saorsa]

I agree with Mike. Chasing the birds would be bad for the picture.

Not to mention your gear