Robin portrait

[Mark Corpe]

After mistakes I made on my last post (Great tit on a sundial) were pointed out to me by Daniel and Arthur, I've taken those points on board and offer the shot below. I aimed to get the camera settings correct for the shot, to position myself correctly with regards to the light on the subject bird and tried to create a sharp image with a pleasing neutral BG.
The details are:

Canon 1D mk IV
400mm f/5.6 L lens + 1.4x TC = 560mm
AF @ f/8
1/640 sec
0 EC
ISO 500
AV
Distance to subject: 12 - 14 ft. Attracted by seeds.

Comments and critique welcome. I enjoy bird photography and I like to learn :S3:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7238/7176160728_a75016c79a_b.jpg

[gail bisson]

Hi Mark,
I think you are a good pupil! Great BG. Good DOF. Now, if you can attract this guy with seeds then I would set up a natural perch next to the sundial and cover the sundial so he doesn't land there. Put a nice budding branch in a flower pot and wait... You will now have a nice perch and BG and bird. I would selectively sharpen the head a bit more as well in PP.
Gail

[Mark Corpe]

Thank you Gail. I agree, a natural perch would look better. The sharpening issue is really hard to get right. I actually sharpened the bird a little more than the posted image, looked at it and undid it as I thought it looked overdone!

Mark :S3:

[Alan Murphy]

Mark, great exposure and BG. Agree with Gail on the perch.

[Mark Corpe]

Thanks Alan.