This female Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) was backlit on Monday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, so I had to overexpose the image, which made the cloudy sky turn almost pure white. I really like the effect, which is reminiscent of a high-key portrait taken in a studio setting. One of my Facebook friends commented that the shot looked to him “like an old time copper image.”
My initial thought was to crop the image in a landscape format, as in the second image below, because I liked the graceful curve of the main branch. Upon further reflection, I decided that maybe there was literally too much white space in the image and opted for the square format in the first shot below, which gives a bit more attention to the main subject. What do you think? Do you have a preference for one version over the other?
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Difficult question Mike, Initially I was looking at your post in Reader and then I thought to check on your own blog and the images had a different appearance (as in a clearer outline). I also like the graceful curve and given that I have the option of clicking on the image to enlarge, I’d say I also like the horizontal image. It’s nice that there’s the flexability to use it either way though! That can be very useful.
Thanks for sharing your perspective, Liz. The image is an “artsy” one, so I am not all that bothered by having lots of white space–there is a kind of minimalism that reminds me of some Japanese brush paintings. One advantage of the horizontal image is that I have room if I wanted to put in a motivational quote. 🙂
Yes, I was reminded of Japanese art too 🙂
My initial reaction is each has its own character. Basically it has to do with intended flight direction. The top image appears the blackbird can fly upwards and the lower fly forward. The high key effect works well and makes for a nice portrait.
Thanks, Steve. I like your explanation of how you see the differences. I intuitively know what I like, but somethings have trouble articulating why, which is why I so much value the comments of others, which can help me view my own images differently.
As photographers we learn from each other. I cannot always say why I made a certain image the way I did so appreciate hearing how others see them as well. Not all critiques are negative.
I prefer the second image. The curved branch adds interest and makes it a picture not just a study of the bird.
I much prefer the second image. The curve and weight of the branch balance the bird; the first image feels truncated to me.
Thanks for providing your explanation. So far it looks like I should have gone with my initial impulse (which most often is the best course of action).
It’s always interesting to see alternative views, though. It gives us a chance to think about why we prefer one view or the other.
Nice Mike! I like the 2nd image better. I think it looks more “balanced”.
Thanks, Reed. The overwhelming majority of folks who have responded agree with you. 🙂
I like them both, and the high key look is a good fit. That extra curve on the branch adds a bit more interest to the landscape shaped version.
Interesting that having looked at just the square version first I could not have imagined that it could be better any other way. It made me think that our viewers have no way of knowing what might have been outside the frame, good or bad!
I definitely prefer the landscape one, it seems easy on the eye and the bird looks perfectly situated where it is. It is a delicate photo and yes a work of art.
Thanks. I appreciate your sharing your thoughts on the image. I guess that I sort of second-guessed my instincts in thinking that viewers would be bothered by too much empty space.
My preference goes for the landscape image: graceful curve in the branch, more balanced. The high key presentation is very suited to the setting, too. Simple and crisp.
Thanks, Chris. It sounds like I am guilty of second guessing myself in doing a square crop at all, but it has definitely been instructive to get comments from so many readers.
They nest in the cattails in our pond! Wonderful birds!
Blue Rock Horses Frederick County, Virginia bluerockhorses.com
I love Red-winged Blackbirds. I remember well the first time I spotted a female one and was totally confused because it was called a Red-winged Blackbird but was not black and did not have red wings. I was totally new to photographing birds and had not grasped the reality that males and females often look quite different. 🙂
Yeah, that’s true. Mostly it’s all about the males. They are very protective of the females and nests around the pond. They are beautiful birds.
There’s only one photo I can see. I, personally, like negative space, and think it’s a great photo.
Blue Rock Horses Frederick County, Virginia bluerockhorses.com
Thanks, Mitzy.
It looks like a lovely painting!