Welcome Deborah! I like the penguins and the action while jumping out off the water. Is this the original photo or can you crop this a little bit? I'm asking, because I'm a fan of action. Is it possible, to show only the 3 left ones in a frame? It is a perfect light, sharp shot - and you have been in move? Top!   Posted: 12/06/2025 08:12:33

Deborah - welcome aboard and glad you made it :-) Your capture contains a contains an absolutely outstanding moment of peak action. That said, the two surface penguins and the bright upper background compete with that peak action for attention, and my eye isn't sure where to settle. So, in my VF I cropped to isolate the three airborne birds, which IMO allows the viewer to experience the peak action with more immediacy, and treated the non-airborne birds as distractions. I think you know from our study group that I treat all images as if they're in an Open Category where interpretation and refining are encouraged; and that's what I did. I feel the tighter crop transforms the image from a very nice and broad 'documentary record' into a more intentional, artistic rendering of the moment. It's not my intent to change reality, rather I try to reveal the strongest parts of it. I hope that makes sense to you.   Posted: 12/06/2025 18:55:49

Welcome in the group Deborah! You had a great opportunity to photograph these penguins and this is a spectacular moment with the jumping birds. I made a crop following Peter's advice in which the birds are in different phases of jumping. Butch's version looks better, but in competitions it is prohibited to remove details from the original file.   Posted: 12/07/2025 10:37:20

Deborah, let me add my welcome to you. As noted above this is a great action shot. I also agree that the cropped version draws more attention to the birds. Dr Ernoe, not sure what details Butch removed, other than to crop more? I do like his less exposed image.   Posted: 12/07/2025 21:35:48

Wow, I did not know that cropping stuff out was not allowed in some competitions! Thanks for the info.   Posted: 12/08/2025 13:00:42

Wow, I did not know that cropping stuff out was not allowed in some competitions! Thanks for the info.   Posted: 12/08/2025 16:55:13

Peter and Roy (or any other member of the group) - you both commented on my comments or edits - the following is my philosophy and would like your thoughts if you don't mind. When I'm taking pictures, editing in post or reviewing and or re-editing photos of others, my goal is to create images with a high level of impact and visual interest, i.e. pictures that a uniformed viewer will take the time to study and consider. I don't try to alter nature or a scene; but rather to reveal the strongest visual and narrative elements of the image. Please, comments welcomed - thanks   Posted: 12/11/2025 16:28:14