The other day, while out looking for something to photograph, I came across this (female?) American Kestrel perched atop a power pole. I didn’t post it at the time I took it because it’s not a very interesting shot and too much of the “hand of man” is showing. In fact, it dominates the shot and the kestrel appears to be almost insignificant in the photo. The white wires lead the eye away from the bird and right out of the photograph. I have become a bit paranoid about photographs I take of wild birds that happen to perch on a manmade structure. I have been criticized by judges at my camera club if they feel my wild bird photograph shows too much human intrusion. As a result of that criticism, I’m trying to be more critical of my shots. This is an example of what not to photograph. It’s also a reminder to me to carry a longer lens or, if I don’t have a long enough lens with me or can’t get closer, I shouldn’t take the shot.
…Although sometimes breaking the rules is a virtue! I’m sure there’s some photography critic out there who could justify this shot on formal or compositional grounds (the kestrel’s eyes follow the line of the wires; the textures and colors of the lichens and wood echo the kestrel’s plumage; the white, black and gray wires echo the breast feathers)–or even thematic ones, like technology as an alienating element or nature reclaiming what was originally human. I actually kind of like this one!
I don’t see anything wrong with the shot. You could also argue that the light eye catching wire leads you into the shot, to the pole & bird. Everything’s sharp & it does tell a natural story about the modern life of a Kestrel. It’s just not a “Nature” shot by PSA (Camera Club) rules, it would be OK in Open or in our club’s Domestic Nature. The line about “just don’t take the shot” is disturbing.. Don’t let old arbitrary rules guide your choice of what to photo. They’re your photos, you’re not shooting for PSA, you’re shooting for you…