Rock Bunting on a rock

[Richard Stern]

Here's another image from my recent trip to Spain. This was in the Gredos Mountains NW of Madrid.

D7000, Nikon 300 4/4 AF-S +1.4TC. 1/2000, f/8, ISO560, hand-held.

Gaussian blur to some of the bg. Some selective sharpening to the foreground. The catchlight is natural but I emphasized it a bit. Harsh lighting so I reduced the dynamic range somewhat.

Richard

[Gary Esman]

Hi Richard, nice looking little guy. like the soft light and looks sharp. Looks like a clone mark behind his head you may want to clean up. TFS

Gary.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Richard, nice bird and very good details. I am liking the BG as well. you processed the harsh light very well. I find the rock a bit overpowering...so cropping from bottom will make it better IMO.

Agree with Gary about the clone mark.

[Richard Stern]

Oops - Didn't notice the clone mark, but I do now! Thanks.

Richard

[noelle zaleski]

I guess that is why they call them rock buntings :S3:

It sure is a cute bird and you did well on the exposure. I agree a little less rock may help.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Beautiful bird. I like the rock perch...but it is much too bright. I gave it a double pass of the burn tool (soft brush, midtones, 8% exposure). I also fixed the eye...it is just a bout never that you will naturally see a catchlight only on the lower part of the eye (and when you do it is usually because of water reflecting it up and accompanied by a catchlight above too). I burned and sponged the lower part, and enhanced the top part...looks more natural IMO.

Nice image overall though. sharp, and i like the BG.

[Richard Stern]

Thanks Daniel,

Looks better than my original post.

Richard

[Nancy Bell]

Great image, Richard and a nice touch of Photoshop by Daniel.

[Chad Caswell]

Why do they call them "rock buntings" again :bg3::bg3:

I like what Daniel did to the rock as well. Great shot!

[Dumay de Boulle]

Lovely pose and environment...Looks very cool WB wise...Maybe warming it up a bit. IQ looks good except on the chest by the grey feathers, they look a bit clumped with a strange texture..>I think some more TLC and it would look great!

[Arno Ellmer]

Great shot Richard! The good potential of the shot was enhanced by Daniel.
Also agree that rock was slightly overpowering.