Kestrel

A Kestrel enjoying the last moments of sunlight at the end of a hard day at the local sewerage works.

Great shot! I would add some canvas to the rear of the bird....

...and above and even more at left, and then perhaps crop a bit at bottom :-) He's just a little cramped up there in ULC. Exposure looks good, but I would tone down the brightest part on the subject. Colours and sharpness are good.

I agree with above comments do i like the picture a lot i find the light verry harsh

Hi Jon
Very nice, though perhaps a touch tight. I don't think the light's harsh at all. :)

I agree that the light is anything but harsh. The biggest problem is the steep angle to the bird. I would crop a bit from the bottom and add a bit behind the bird for a pano look. Sharp and a nice bird.

Perhaps is not the pano suggested by Arthur, but I was working on it when I saw his comment. I also, don't find the light harsh, in fact is almost ''sweet light IMO'' yes, I know, lately I been trying to ''help'' with my PS skills, but is just because I am learning and I like to practice, I hope I am not bothering anyone.

About this image, is a great image, again, in my humble opinion. Love details on feathers and that eye contact is something else. Great job.

Thanks for your comments everyone. The consensus seems to be that the crop was too tight. Having seen a looser crop (thanks Juan) I now agree entirely.

Arthur, I take your point about the steep angle. I too, prefer to photograph birds from their eye level. Having said this however, would you agree that the use of a steep angle can sometimes successfully be used to emphasise the height at which a bird is perched?

Hi Jon, I would certainly agree that "the use of a steep angle can sometimes successfully be used to emphasise the height at which a bird is perched? "

It is just that my personal preference is that I do not like the look or the feel of such images (even though you have "successfully" emphasized the height...) <!-- / message -->

Hi Arthur, thanks for the follow up. I respect your opinion (and love your work).

Thanks Jon. As per my original comment, I cropped from the bottom and then added canvas left and right for more of a pano look. Then I reduced the contrast and softened (de-SAT-ed) the blues. All combined to give the impression that you were much more on the same level as the bird. Most of that due to "shortening" the perch.

Hi Arthur, I much prefer your crop. The bird looks much less cramped and much closer to eye level now.