Semipalmated Sandpiper

[Colin Gilyeat]

This is a large crop, about 50%, so I know I lost some details in the feathers and probably oversharpened it a little because of the large crop.



Comments and criticisms are welcome.

D7000, Sigma 150-500@500mm, iso200, f/6.3, 1/640, tripod

Colin

[James Shadle]

Colin,
You already know this image is on the soft side.
IMO rotating the canvas clockwise and cropping a bit off the top would make this a stronger image.

I'm a big reflection fan.

[Colin Gilyeat]

James,

Thanks for you suggestion, I'll recrop and get it reposted. Even though I knew it was soft because of the large crop, I wanted to get a feel for the composition.

Colin

[Roger Clark]

Hi Colin

I agree with James. If you look at the reflection, it looks like your focus was in front of the bird, not at the bird. The angle if the light is not ideal, although it is mitigated by the relatively soft light. The light is behind the bird to the left, so the bird's face is in shadow. It would be better if the bird were facing into the sun. Both the soft focus and the face in shadow can be mitigated. The soft focus by good sharpening methods, and the face by selection and lightening (dodging). If the bird were facing to the left and the focus on the bird, it would have been a really sweet image. Also, if the far leg were ahead of the near one, the bird's body would be tilted more toward the viewer (the the present body position is quite nice).

Roger

[Colin Gilyeat]

Roger,

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I went back a looked at the original in Nikon's NXView software so I could see where the focus point was. I clearly missed the eye, but it looks like I did get the focus on the body at the bottom of the breast. In looking at the time of day and where I took the shot the sun was definately at the back of the bird. I went back into LR4 and lighted the face a little and did some selective sharpening on the bird. Finally I recropped it and removed a little from the top and added alittle CW rotation.


I have another one with the bird facing to the left. One I get it processed, I'll upload it.
Here's the image reworked and recropped.

[Bob Miller]

Colin...Your repost is much better! if you have Color efex by NIk software you could bring out the circular ripples with detail extraction.

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Colin,

Good comments above and I want to compliment your eye. This image has nice balance in the frame and displays both form and feeling. The reflection (love it) and muted surroundings give a sense of wonder and the simple elements make it work well. As noted, the image is soft but the composition is strong.

I like Bob's ideal of bringing out the ripples - might give it a go!

[Colin Gilyeat]

Thanks everyone for your comments and encouragement. I continue to learn, not just from you comments on my images, but from comments on others. I don't have Color efex from Nik, but I may have to take a look at it.

Colin