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Bill Dix
07-25-2010, 10:56 AM
Another backyard bird from several days ago, in low light near my thistle feeder. 45% crop; removed a branch and cleaned up bill and eye; levels and contrast, NR, USM. C&C appreciated.

D90
80-400 VR @ 360mm w/ 25mm ext tube.
ISO 1250
1/160s @ f/8.
-1.0 EV
Tripod
Dave Mills
07-25-2010, 12:07 PM
Hi Bill, very well handled! Good lighting, HA,sharp with nicely muted backround. For my taste I would remove the end of the branch coming out of the head. Then I might crop the image a small bit from the top. Nicely done!
Lance Peters
07-25-2010, 04:19 PM
Hi Bill - Agree with Dave - the branch coming out of the head has to go - just looks strange.
Good Ha and eye contact - exposure looks good - might just run some NR on the background.
Like it!!
Bill Dix
07-25-2010, 04:35 PM
Thanks Dave and Lance. I contemplated removing the branch out of the head, but thought viewers might wonder where her perch disappeared to . With two out of two suggesting it, I'll give it a try.
Desmond Chan
07-25-2010, 05:45 PM
Thanks Dave and Lance. I contemplated removing the branch out of the head, but thought viewers might wonder where her perch disappeared to .

I think the same. But that branch up there does not improve the image much though. A move to a 2:00 direction when taking that shot might have helped I think. Other than that, good quality as far as I can tell.
Alfred Forns
07-26-2010, 08:07 AM
Just the branch Bill Does look odd coming out of his head !!! Excellent feather detail and love that bg !!!
Bill Dix
07-26-2010, 09:04 AM
Just the branch Bill Does look odd coming out of his head !!! Excellent feather detail and love that bg !!!
Thanks Al and Desmond. The branch is history. Took just a bit more off top and right, and another light pass of NR on the bg.
Jackie Schuknecht
07-26-2010, 10:20 AM
Repost looks great Bill. Colours look very good. Well done.
Dave Mills
07-26-2010, 01:29 PM
Good improvement Bill!
Bill Dix
07-26-2010, 01:58 PM
Thank you Jackie and Dave. Dave, I appreciate your suggestions. After staring at my repost for awhile, I decided it seemed to be just slightly oversharpened, and with a slight bluish cast, so I gave the masterfile a low opacity orange filter, and backed off the sharpening a tiny bit. Looks marginally better, but I won't bother to repost again.