Gnatcatching

[Kirk Robinson]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8538/8745667113_9b0bec180e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68665581@N04/8745667113/)


First post!

Took this photo while out photographing warblers at a local forest preserve. It is a Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, living up to its name ;)

Nikon D7000, 300mm f/2.8 + 2xTC
f/7.1, 1/1000, ISO 200
Cropped, shadows lightened a bit in Lightroom

I had some reservations about posting this image - I know it has flaws. Criticisms/critiques welcome, as I am still a beginner!

[Michael Todd]

Excellent shot Kirk. In a natural setting, control of the bird is somewhat difficult. Good action pose. Nice BG. Bird may be a little soft. The only other thing I see is the lighting angle is throwing the front of the bird in shadow. Were you walking or setting and observing?

[John Goldman]

Very nice capture, Kirk.
Composition, bird in it's habitat doing what it does, excellent!
The eye and head appear soft, to me.
I would remove the unattached leaves in the lower right and the bright white whatever it is in the upper right.

[Kirk Robinson]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7286/8750449139_e0f2cda990_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68665581@N04/8750449139/)
DSC_5871 - Version 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68665581@N04/8750449139/) by Midwest Coaster (http://www.flickr.com/people/68665581@N04/), on Flickr

Thanks for your suggestions! I cloned out the white twig and the leaves in the lower right-hand corner. It was my first time using photoshop elements - suggestions welcome. I believe the bird is soft partly because of the large-ish crop, partly because it was moving... and shooting handheld probably didn't help. And as for the bird being in shadow, I did what I could in LR, but I realize it is not ideal. Many thanks!