Plush-crested Jays

[Patricio Murphy]

Nikon D200, AI Nikkor 400mm f/3.5 ED-IF, SB600 flash. ISO 400, 1/160, f/3.5

[Sid Overbey]

Very nice shot of these two. I like how they are looking in unison. I would definitely get rid of that leaf on the left bird.

[Maxis Gamez]

Hello Patricio,

What a lovely looking pair. I think the setting extremely busy and distracting, especially the leaf covering part of the head.

Where was this taken? where are you from?

[Patricio Murphy]

Hi, I too think that the leaf is distracting, by it doesn't bother me that much (and I'm not that good yet at PS to remove it, i think...) I'll try it anyway, just to see if I can do it and if it works better!
The picture was shot in Buenos Aires, in the "Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur", a natural reserve just minutes away from downtown.

[Maxis Gamez]

Hi, I too think that the leaf is distracting, by it doesn't bother me that much (and I'm not that good yet at PS to remove it, i think...)
The picture was shot in Buenos Aires, in the "Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur", a natural reserve just minutes away from downtown.

Hi Patricio,

Thank you for the reply. Are these bird in the wild? or captive? if wild, perhaps is worth setting something up for them to perch in a less distractive environment.

Keep them coming!

[Fabs Forns]

What a good looking pair, Patricio, magnifico!

The leaf doesn't bother me at all, I mind the background more, wish it was a little less cluttered. Thanks for sharing this one, and looking forward for more from "tu tierra" :)

[Brian Wong]

Hi Patricio!

I really like the cute pair ... and I don't mind the leaf at all. In fact, it reminds me of Polynesian tradition of wearing a flower on your ear. In this case ... on the bird's right ear signifying that he/she is single and available. Cute pair! I would try to tone down or remove the two vertical sticks in the head, if it fits your ethics. I would also try to mend the dead parts of the leaf.

[Grace Scalzo]

Nice colorful image. Whatever they are looking at surely has their attention. I like birds in habitat and so am fine with everything except the two vertical twigs behind the one on the viewer's right.

[James Salywoda]

A very nice shot I just wish you could of gotten the bird on the left in the clear, Sweet poses by them both Well Done!!!

[Sid Overbey]

Hi Patricio, I only have PS Elements and decided just to play around. This is how it might look without the leaf. Either way, it is a beautiful shot.

Sid

[Sid Garige]

Wonderful job Sid. Added a lot to image.

[Patricio Murphy]

Hi everyone! Thank you for the comments!
I also played a bit with PS last night, and came with this version without the leaf:




Now, if I think about it, it makes sense to do what Sid did, and get rid of the whole bakcground, I'll try another version getting also rid of the two vertical branches behind the other bird, which, BTW, are what bothers me the most.

[Maxis Gamez]

Sid's repost works much better but if you are going to remove so much, I would go all the way and remove the one on the right.

Patricio,

Your repost still very busy. You did an excellent job removing the leaf but the strong branch in the BG is taking away.

[paul leverington]

I love the leaf actually. Crop in tighter to eliminate some of the BG and your fine IMO, but that last repost retaining the leaf works great! Sid's version is not a bad one but no wheres as nice as your repost.

Paul