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Found this Egret two weeks ago at near the floating boardwalk at Horicon NWR. This is a 75-percent crop of the original. Canon 1D Mk IV, 800mm f/5.6L, ISO 200, 1/2000 at 5.6 with -1 stop exposure compensation. I think I may have over-sharpened (see the beak) but I like the pose.
I don't think you oversharpened. In any case, seeing you're pretty new, welcome to BPN.
If it were possible, stepping to the right to change the comp without any trunk in front of the bird would have been ideal IMHO. The details in the whites is good and the BG could be far worse than as is. I think the egret is crying to be let out of prison. If you get what I am trying to say. That branch in front is overpowering. Again, it's my thoughts and I'd love to hear what other people say. :) Cheers.....
Thanks! Stepping to the right would have involved stepping off a boardwalk into a meter of water with a very muddy bottom! I understand what you say about the branch, though I like the contrast of its texture and the Egret's. I also like the contrast of the very dark BG and the white plumage. I was exposing for the plumage, which darkened the background even further. More on oversharpening: I re-examined the original and see that what I took to be sharpening artifacts on the bill are really bits of downy fluff! (The Egret had been grooming itself.) But since you can't see that on the reduced photo, I found it distracting. Thanks again.
Seiing this is your first post I will wish you a belated welcome to BPN!!
Good looking subject and properly exposed. Details held off very well with no noticeable degragation of IQ. Sharpening is tastefully done so no issue there. Vertical was the way to go, but I agree with Akos about the large trunk competing with the egret for attention. I find the numerous criss-crossing branches in the BG somewhat distracting but I see you were already shooting wide-open so no further in-camera BG blurring could be done.
Hoping to see more from you!
