Comment from OpenroadFootprint
Cute and clever pose :) nice and sharp and some lovely feather work showing through. Sitting nicely in the frame. I actually also like the blue, the simplicity of the background really allows the heron and its textures to stand out.
My photographic element considerations:
Impact / Mood 7
Composition 7
Technique 6
Subject 7
Storytelling 6
Innovation / Originality 8

All the best :)
Ann, openroadfootprint.com

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 Comment Written 25-Jan-2022

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reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022

thanks;
you don't indicate what is wrong in order to delete half a star;
if all other people will give a 5, or a 6, the site will not take into account your comments...

reply by OpenroadFootprint on 25-Jan-2022

thats ok, perhaps other people have not seen the bird photography from some incredible bird photographers out there, a couple are 'up' at the moment too if you look through the top paid for images. I find it would be incredibly unfair to give out gratuitous 5's for the sake of them, then leave nowhere to comparatively give out on those images the same ?score? (example only, there are a small handful amazing photographers on here deserving of better 'stars' if compared to the swap for swap with mates clique system many have going on here). I would need to then be able to give, say, 10 stars to those images (?) .
So, to be fair this year, when I critique I will look at MANY areas before I give my thoughts and 'stars'. (cos when I joined this site, it was the MAIN reason I joined; to get actual 'real' feedback, but the site has failed in that as it is more, I'm your friend I will give you 5 stars style). In 18 months it has never sat well with me, but the forum thread piece that many commented with this thought pattern on and agreed, was deleted.
I have created my system this year based on the criteria used in photography competitions (cos this is photography?) so i fairly give proper critique and be of benefit for myself to improve photographically, but also in giving constructive feedback, not simply hand out gratis peer cheers, which benefits nobody for improving. Unless you aren?t interested in improving?
I HAVE, given my (what i feel fair) assessment of this particular image. I have not based it on (?? if all other people will give a 5, or a 6, the site will not take into account your comments.? <<< THIS). I did not look at what others scored you, nor does what others score you, affect how I view a piece. If they feel it is a 5 or 6 star definitely they are allowed choice too. I would then really like to see how they then give an equal 5/6 stars to some incredible images.
And if you read all I wrote, I felt improvement was well indicated, AND, there is much I liked about the image, it came in at 41/60. (40-45 is 4½ star)
Ann.

reply by the author on 25-Jan-2022

thanks again for your detailed explanations;
the problem on this site, as I indicated; if all people give a 5 or a 6, your rating isn't taken into account