Canon 1D MKIV and 1.4X
F 5.6
ISO 800
SS 1/2000
Cropped by ~ 20% and taken at 5:45PM this week
I was sitting in this field waiting ( 3 hours) for my nemesis bird -the northern harrier (who showed up but stayed on the wrong side of the sun, aargh) when this bird perched beautifully against this wonderful background ( pond and field).
Usual NR on BG, levels, cloned an OOF branch from LLC and DE at 3% and USM on JPEG
Comments and critiques always appreciated and learned from with thanks,
Gail
I could see a version cropped up from the bottom to eliminate the leaves, and in from the right a bit, to play up the horizontal flow of the BG. Might be too stark that way for some folks tastes.
The face looks just a bit soft, perhaps a bit more tweaking inorder.
Sweet little thing! I love the way it's hanging onto the branches. I'd crop more, but that's a matter of choice. Not a lot of environmental info here, but it is a lovely OOF BG. Love the blue!
I might go vertical, with a little off the right (to loose the green leaves) and remove maybe half the empty area on the left. Worth a look, anyway, but maybe you tried it.
Very nice Gail. I can see that you thoughtfully placed him right in the blue band of the background. Really helps him pop out a little. I would consider cropping a bit from all around.
I like the position of the bird and it appears to be well focused. I agree regards a little more cropping all around. I am a little puzzled why the bark on the branch is so detailed and the bird less so. I suspect it is just the way the light angle hits the bird as opposed to the twig??
Gail, The light on the bird is beautiful and the gradient BG is awesome. The exposure and details look great too. I personally like the crop due to the nice BG, its almost as much of a focal point as the subject. Nice Work!
Hi Gail, I like the placement in the frame, together with all the space you have given the sparrow. This allows showing off the colourful layered BG. Love the splayed legged pose, and have to agree with Randy, a little selective sharpening on the head may work.
Thanks for the help. I do have a vertical Diane and have attached it.I hope that's OK Moderators.
I must need new glasses( please say it ain't so!!) because I don't see the head as being soft.
Gail
I like the comp as is but for me what throws it off a bit is the small vertical twig jotting up along the right edge. To me removing it makes a bigger difference than it may appear. Lovely light, good pose, and I love the BG.
How did you make the head turn to the other direction, Gail. Photosho? Just kidding. I don't know which one I like better; I had an other look and the first one is more appealing to me.
I am with Daniel. Love the leaves on the bottom. Would crop just enough from the right to remove the encroaching upward twig. Killer BG. Head looks good to me.
Sweet bird, light, and image design. The head looks sharp to me. There are other problematic branches in addition to the big vertical one lrc.
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Savannah sparrow at sunset
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