Southern Lapwing - Critique

[Valls]

Hey guys!

So, here's a shot of a Southern Lapwing:

It was shot with my Nikon D5300 and a Nikkor AF-S 55-200mm F4-5.6 VRII.
Shutter: 1/1000
Apperture: F5.6
ISO: 100
Handheld.

So... I didn't really like this picture too much.. I mean, I'm not even remotely amused by it. Yet, many of my friends (the not so close friends, that would often just ignore me) on social network seem to like it, quite surprisingly....

Tell me, friends! What is in it to like? Also, what is possible to get better? What do you like most and what would you do differently, if you were to take the same shot?

I'd love to have all your insights!

Thanks again!
Cheers!

 

[waday]

Thiago (I love your name, by the way), I'm personally not a fan of the negative space in this shot. I don't mind negative space in minimalist-type photos, but I'm not sure the negative space here has anything to add to the photo? Perhaps a tighter crop around the bird?

Otherwise, it's a nice and clear shot of a cute bird!

 

[Valls]

Hey Wade! Thanks for commenting! I totally agree with you, even though I didn't think of it earlier... In this case, the negative space is pretty much a negative trait for the photo! Though I'm not really sure how else I would crop it... I mean, I was at maximum zoom (and the closest I could get without scaring the bird) already and didn't have much to add to the composition so... How should I crop without making it look like a simple snapshot? I could get a close up of the Lapwing's face but would lose sooo many pixels by just cropping the image! Perhaps Lapwing+Shadow with vertical orientation? Like this:

What do you say?

 

[waday]

Hmm.. I don't mind the portrait orientation, but you could keep it in landscape orientation if you wanted. The below is just another option. Not saying it's the right option, just one option. I see what you mean, though. After looking at a few crops, they all seem somewhat awkward.

 

[Valls]

Well, I actually found a way to use the negative space... Well, not as a normal picture, I have to say! hahaha turned it into my "logo":

I know its a little pretentious to call myself a "wildlife tog" this soon (barely started on it!) but that's what I see myself doing in my days to come as a photographer!

 

[waday]

Well, I actually found a way to use the negative space... Well, not as a normal picture, I have to say! hahaha turned it into my "logo":

I know its a little pretentious to call myself a "wildlife tog" this soon (barely started on it!) but that's what I see myself doing in my days to come as a photographer!

Haha.. Good use of the negative space!