Bearded Scrub-Robin : Straight down the Barrel

[Pieter de Waal]

91011

The March theme provides an opportunity to display the wonderful markings on this Robin. Usualy found in thickets and foraging on the ground in forests, not often in the open.

50D/EF500f4 1/800@f5.6 iso400 Apperture priority Cropped from horisontal and removed some twigs.

C&C most welcome.

[Randy Stout]

Pieter:

excellent display of the markings indeed. Another one of those grumpy looking birds, when viewed head on.
soft light helped give pretty even exposure on both sides.
Good DOF considering the lighting conditions, and getting the tail sharp probably wasn't going to happen with this light, although if time allowed you could have lowered the shutter speed to try for a bit smaller aperture. Once you had a safe shot in the bank, then option to try for alternative interpretations! I have to constantly remind myself to do just that.

Cheers

Randy

[Chris Kotze]

Looks like a real grumpy little fellow, super head-on captured

[Don Lacy]

Really interesting markings on the face and I like how the BG compliments the subject. I would lighten the left side of the face to help even out the tonalities

[Tom Rambaut]

What a distinct little bird. You have captured the marking well and that background suites the colouraton of the bird well - The bird is realy looking down the barrel!

[DanWalters]

Nice clean background and I really like that head-on look.

[RakeshDhareshwar]

Doesnt look quite happy about you photographing him .:S3: Sharp and perfect for the theme !!

[Steven Kersting]

Love it!
Just did a few minor edits, mostly shadow/highlight recovery to get a bit more detail in the face...
http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=91033&d=1301371842

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the down the barrel pose and complimentary BG. Well done Pieter!

[Dumay de Boulle]

Nice head on pose of this sneaky little bird...Has a almost sepia quality...Dont like Steven's at all, I prefer the original post

[Pieter de Waal]

Thanks for all the comments and feedback, much appreciated.

Good point mentioned Randy, since joining BPN I have been trying to discipline myself to do that, but as you say I have to remind myself until it becomes second nature. Lower SS and more dof would certainly have helped the image.

Steve thanks for the repost and whilst the image could go a touch lighter I prefer the less sharpened version.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Pieter, you couldnt have captured this more head on.:w3 Shows the symmetry of the markings. Comp works well, and I like the pastel colours in the BG.

[Pieter de Waal]

Thanks Stuart much appreciated.

[James Salywoda]

I like the head on look very nicely done Pieter.