Black Vultures

SonyA700~Sony70-400G@250mm~1/125sec~F13~ISO400~7-21-09~hand held~Houston, Texas
CS4 Topaz Adjust(small detail preset)/Topaz Clean2
Going black&white wasn't much of a stretch.
comments and critique welcomed. regards~Bill

Wow, black vultures with a lot of details showing ! Sharp and clear. Instinctively I would have chosen to leave more room on the left. But, your call :)

I agree with Desmond on the crop. When birds are looking in a particular direction I tend to let that be the side with more weight to it in the frame because it gives the viewer the feeling that if the frame were only larger they, too, could see what the birds are looking at.

Nice exposure on the blacks, Bill. I think your perch could use a little toning down - it's on the hot side towards the bottom of the frame - but the blacks are really nice! I'd be tempted to dodge and burn some areas just to add even more emphasis to their bodies/plumes.

Bill, Agree with above comments. They should make a pleasing image stronger. Bill, I've been enjoying your work with this technique and look forward to seeing more....

Bill, I was on my way out this morning and didn't get a chance to comment. I might sharpen the right birds eye a touch and tone down parts of the perch-I like this alot!! It will make a fine print!! Perfect amount of filter as always!!Agree w/ more room left.

Thanks for the nice comments, and as usual the suggestions are spot on! Especially with the cropping suggestions here, and Julie's explanation.~Bill