Titmouse in the Fall

[Randall Farhy]

Another image from the same session as the Nuthatch. Taken in less than optimal light, exposure set for background while relying on ETTL-II to provide subject lighting. Subject distance aprox 8 feet.

Self critique: Would prefer more depth of field so that more of the bird's feather detail would show, as well as more bark detail. Tree trunk is too large a perch for this bird, but that's where it chose to perch. Even though I was using a short ladder,it's still a little below eye level. There's a prominent color cast from the surrounding foliage -adjustments have been made using LR4 White balance and Yellow/orange/green luminosity sliders.

Canon 7d
300mmF4L IS off
Ball foot monopod braced on the ladder's paint tray.

600 EX RT flash head, hotshoe mounted. ETTL-II no comps

ISO 640 (should've pushed to 800)
SS 1/250 F4.5 (background estimated)

Back button focus/ AI servo/ Center spot (most reliable in low light)

Processing: RAW; Lightroom 4 and Topaz Denoise 5. Image lightened .83 in post, tweaks on adjustment sliders, detail sharpened bird, added extra Noise reduction to background. Cropped 5x7 aspect, 73% frame intact.

Thoughts and C&C appreciated

[Clyde Hopper]

I don't think there is anything to add to your own cc . .....the head is nice and sharp ! great separation from BG !

[Jeannean Ryman]

Randall, I think you've covered it. Your self-critique is more than I would come up with. I like the image very much, and other than more DOF, it looks just fine to me. (yes, a smaller perch would be better, but unless they're tame/trained birds, we have to take into account what suits them at the moment)

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Randall,

The issue here is subject placement or composition and the perch is distracting as you noted and the perch size gradually increases in the frame level is usually better. The subject does looks good and the background complements the image. Consider a look where the subject is off center rule of thirds look.

The DoF is an area for discussion I like the wide open shots with a sharp eye and clean detail in this case a a narrow aperture could have made the image stronger. I have always loved this species they always seem a bit sad to me but a beautiful baby.

Nice field technique using a higher than norman ISO and the flash with ETTL in low light well done. Thanks for sharing and keep em coming.

[Randall Farhy]

Clyde, Jeaneann, Jeff thank you for the comments, always nice to hear what others have to say. Working in close with this lens is a make or break issue wrt DoF and positioning. A good majority of these shots didn't work out too well so I was happy to see good focus along with this pose.