Common Redstart

[Rich Steel]

Hi

I had some real fun having located a pair of these summer woodland migrants back in May. They are quite a tricky exposure, especially in full sun, as the cap of the male is such an intense white.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k217/squidfish_2006/reds4.jpg

Taken with 1Dmk2N and 500mm lens at ISO 320 at F6.3, 1/320s and -0.67EV. Taken from a hide with a few mealworms used to get the birds where I wanted them. I'm sure their brood of young appreciated the constant supply of mealworms during the dismal UK summer weather in 2007. I kept the food supply going until the young had fledged and dispersed.

Cheers

Rich

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Very nice details and BG. I find the perch a bit overpowering and would put the bird a bit further to the right in the frame.

[Maxis Gamez]

Hello Rich,

This is very nice. I like the colors, details and exposure. The bird could be just a little of the center but that would be it for me.

[Arthur Morris]

Sharp, wonderful detail in the black mask; well done by Alex. Pointing the lens a bit higher and a bit to the left would have yielded a stronger compostion with better balance and less dead space (esp. at the bottom).

later and love and cheers, artie

[Mohammed Ahmed]

Rich,

You have created a beautiful image. Other than the things mentioned to make composition stronger, it is a superb image.

Cheers,

Mohammed

[Daniel Cadieux]

I like the perch and background, but I agree with previous posters in regards to composition. What a very pretty bird this is!!

[Glenn Bartley]

I am not a huge fan of square compositions. I think this could work equally well as a 2:3 vertical. With that said its a very fine image. Love the perch :)

[Rich Steel]

Many thanks for your comments and suggestions. I have always tended to go for a 10 x 8 crop ratio but recently I am seeing the benefits of going for a 12 x 8 and will probably be using this in future as it removes 'dead space'

cheers

Rich