Theme : Reworked White-winged Crossbill

[Mike Milicia]

EOS-1D Mk III, 500mm f/4L + 1.4xII, 1/400, f/5.6, ISO 400
Fill Flash at -2 1/3 with Better Beamer
About 95% of Full Frame

Removed flash catchlight as it was in an unnatural-looking location to my eyes.

Photographed back in September 2007 in Jasper National Park.
I recently reworked this image from the RAW file and thought I'd post it for the theme as I don't think I have posted here before,
or at least I couldn't find it with a search.

Looking forward to your comments and critiques!

[Mike Milicia]

My previous version of the image can be seen here for comparison :

http://500px.com/photo/2378954

In retrospect, I think it was too contrasty.

[Bob Malbon]

Mike, Great job on the re-work. Maybe too centered. Is it full frame?

[Mike Milicia]

Mike, Great job on the re-work. Maybe too centered. Is it full frame?
Thanks, Bob!
It's about 95% of Full Frame (slight crop from top and left and a sliver off the bottom).

[Jonathan Ashton]

Mike lovely shot, my first reaction was how about a tad more contrast? I saw your original - maybe a little OTT I have not seen this bird so I don't know what it "should look like".

[Randy Stout]

Mike:

I prefer this re work over the original you linked, because of the softer contrast here. I think the leaves are particularly successful, the bird very nice as well. I might consider cropping a sliver from the left, just inside the cut off leaf.

Cheers

Randy

[gail bisson]

I much prefer the repost. has a softer feel. If this was mine, I would clone out the small branch in RLC. That would allow for a true diagonal line across the frame. Great BG,
Gail

[Karl Egressy]

A really nice shot, Mike.

[laurie golden]

I also got these birds in Jasper in 2007 at Medicine Lake, I have looked for them every year since with no luck. The birds are bright and the tree that they were landing in was also very bright red and orange. I think your rework looks great but think that the original may be closer to reality.