Grey heron In Fuluoka, a photo from Fukuoka, Kyushu

Photographer's Note

This was a shot that sort of happened by chance, again. Just as I was setting up to get some shots of the garden, I saw this out of the corner of my eye. Sort of fitting for this type of Japanese garden, I think anyway.
All of my shots for this day were difficult to obtain. The Diffuse lighting from the overcast skies caused everything to be either dark or the sky being over exposed. What I found useful was to set my camera down 2 stops or use a polarizor to bring out more detail in the shots.
This pic did not need to be adjusted too much because most of the colours are fairly dark but as you can see the heron is almost over exposed.

Gankaku, illumina has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

AJohnston (105) 2004-10-31 20:58

Very nice colors. You may want to consider this for the Japan Times Photo Contest if you haven't already.

Mazer (2) 2004-10-31 21:26

Nice capture, i love ythe reflections in the water, well spotted and taken.

thien (2112) 2004-10-31 22:04

Superb deep green tones. The reflection of the heron is also excellent. If I have to nitpick, I would crop a bit at the bottom as the dark portion distracts the attention to much.

purplelights (0) 2004-10-31 22:11

Hi Jason , this looks like a dream for me. Nice place to relax. Seems like a utopia. Good DOF...Regards, Flo

poulinp (4528) 2004-10-31 22:28

Nice picture. The reflexion is good also.

mpcorbett (342) 2004-11-01 2:20

J, Another great shot! I really like the greens and the stillnes of the water. I just did a quick WS to play with the levels and a touch of cropping. Tell me what you think?

[workshop] [compare]

rabani (9645) 2004-11-01 3:56

For something by chance, you sure got yourself right there at the right time and place. Then again, that what is photography all about. To be there when it happens. If you see it, you don't get it.

You captured the essence of Japanese garden; simplicity and harmony of its elements with each other and producing calm and interesting view.
Good work here Jason.

deud (1920) 2004-11-01 7:01

It's like a postcard! The colours and the reflections are great! Good POV and compo. Thanx.

gaetanche (819) 2004-11-05 21:59

Very nice shot. Great capture of beautiful light and colors. Good use of DOF. Bravo.

BHo (2177) 2004-11-06 13:20

The Heron could be better framed(rule of thirds) to make it an even stronger image. Any how that's still a cool 'Japanese' photo.

paco (264) 2004-11-28 4:06

It daesn't matter if heron is a bit overexposed. Reflection works a lot here. Great capture, very quiet composition. Perfect japanese garden illustration.Well done

mayumi (142) 2004-12-04 0:20

Well captured for a random shot! I like the greens of the reflection! Great job.
cheers,
mayumi

markoci (3927) 2004-12-06 21:43

As much as I've tried (:-))I just can't find anything wrong with this shot. The Japanese red pines (one of my favorite trees), the reflections in the pond, the crane, the stones, just beautiful! Is this the garden by Ohori Park? I really loved that park, unfortunately the garden was closed by the time I got there :-( (hate those 1-2 day visa runs, no time for anything)

Ning (359) 2005-01-12 22:59

This reminds me of a similar shot I took when I was just starting my amateur photography 30 years ago.

Good shot. You could crop out 15% from the bottom so that the attention is focused on the heron rather than on the reflected image of the trees.

sammy (102) 2006-05-22 1:25

lonely... Great shot...

USErin (189) 2006-11-13 14:16

Beautiful hues in this photo. It almost appears as if certain objects have been coonverted to black and white, while the rest left green. I have a sense of Japan from the trees in the background.

tico_tic (395) 2007-02-14 23:05

this one is a peaceful view... if only you have posted it in a bigger size at 800pixels... it would be nice. i love the green view and the reflection of the bird on the water. gives me a sense of calmness....... tFS

Regards,
Frisco

pally3100 (3413) 2007-05-18 21:06

Hello Jason
all is green a lovely spring green beatifull mood the only thing never puting your subject in the center it s a big mistake on a beautifull picture.
Congratulations Henri former teacher in photography in Belgium , Liège ICADI

colibriav (2078) 2007-09-22 5:09

Hola:
precioso colorido y magnificos reflejos en el agua.
Un saludo desde España:
pablo