I know there are mostly superb bird shots shown here but I have not been out and about lately , I seem to be spending all my time visiting hospitals lately .
anyway ,to the pic ,I had been doing some test shots from my kitchen window at the bird feeder at the bottom of my garden ,some Jays had been swooping in (as they do) terrorising the smaller types .I was just ligning up to snap this rather attractive siskin when a jay flew past menacingly ,and passed above the siskin as i hit the shutter .
nikon D300, 300afs -4 w/tc14e lighting was poor and I would like to have bumped the shutter speed a little more .
would you say the little sisking was displaying terror or aggression?
not such a great pic I know but I thought I would share anyway ,as I dont know when I wil be out shooting again.
thanks , Graham http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/...2/DSC_2019.jpg
08-11-2011, 05:59 AM
gail bisson
Good action shot. I am reluctant to anthromorphisize so I can't say if this is terror or aggression! I hope you and your loved ones get healthy soon,
Gail
08-11-2011, 10:26 AM
Marina Scarr
You're on to something here, and I don't mind the feeder. Would have liked to see a bit more of the green on the left and less on the right. The head doesn't appear sharp to me, probably from motion blur.
08-11-2011, 09:18 PM
Richard Stern
Hi,
As an action shot at the feeder, it's a good idea, but as a portrait of a Siskin it doesn't do a lot for me unfortunately. I don't normally like images of birds at feeders, but there are some situations where it should work. Unfortunately the head has a lot of motion blur and the yellow on the face and breast is overblown and lacks detail and sharpness. The focus seems to be on the green plastic perch. There is too much room on the right - either a vertical crop, or removal of some of the green on the right, would look better. I agree with Gail about the meaning of the bird's behavior, but it's a good question!
I hope your visits to hospitals ultimately result in you being able to get out and about and take many more pictures.
Richard
08-12-2011, 03:57 AM
Graham Berry
thanks all, I take on board what you say about too much green to the right , and yes a bit blown in the yellows in particular .I dont know what happens to sharpening when I upload ,the image posted looks fine for the birds head,with plenty of crisp detail ,but as soon as I upload ,It appears soft ,any advice Re sharpening for the web would be great . I know the pic was not a great one anyway ,and i just felt the need to share what I felt was an interesting pose .
I have cropped it a little and a bit more PP including some different sharpening method ,that now looks oversharp on my monitor .
hopefully i will get out and about soon ,I know its not the lens or camera ,I just need to improve my technique ,and that will come with exprience .
thanks again ,Graham http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/.../DSC_2019b.jpg