Say ‘Aaah…’

“The lilac-breasted roller was perched on the branch of a dead tree near Lower Sabie. After quite a few shots, I managed to get one where he was calling. Once again, I really like the detail on his feathers and his open beak. The photo is also special because I like the contrast created between the colourful bird and the brown twigs.”

Here, the head is once again the focal point, and the same goes for the oversupply of negative space. Some people would prefer to see the entire bird, and here’s another similarity between all Janah’s pics: you can’t see the entire animal on any of them. But it’s not a problem because you subconsciously complete the picture.

The bird’s bright colours contrast with the branches, but there is also a harmony between the bird and its environment. The bird’s blues and purples blend in with the blue sky and its pink-brown breast resembles the colour of the branches.

And yes, to give the photo a little more kick, you could crop the frame to form a square.