Peregrine Falcon

[Mark Schmitt]

The original image had a sky that I just could not tolerate. It was a typical dead, featureless, gray monotone that happens when a marine layer has settled over the coastal area. So, I replaced it with a sky from another image. It is easy to see that this was done, of course. The image of the bird is as it was shot with the usual adjustments to contrast, color saturation and sharppening.

Self critique: The image of the bird and tree are fine, they work for me. Was almost on level with the bird. The head angle might not be acceptable for some, but some how it speaks to me, as it helps to portray the relaxed posture of the bird.

EXIF
Camera: Canon 30D
Lense: Canon EF 500 IS L + 1.4 T/C (effective focal length 700mm)
Mode: apeture priority
Metering: spot
ISO: 500
White bal custom - 6000K
Exposrue 1/800 @ f 7.1, compensation + 1,

Feel free: ;)

[Paul Kusmin]

Interesting sky, I would have liked to see some of the cloud extend below the branch, for some reason, to me it looks like the branch itself is smoking.

Great feather detail and colour overall.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the pose and soft light. I would increase contrast and wonder if you could have moved to your right for less overlap. I'm not sure this kind of sky goes with the light.