This common redpoll was photographed yesterday in Duluth, Minnesota, on the shore of Lake Superior.
I have used Tanzia as a prop perch at feeders before, because I have learned that Common Redpolls enjoy
eating the seed heads. This was not a set-up. Just walkin and stalkin. It was very windy, as evident from
the wind blown tail feather seperation, so I went with a higher iso (for this light quality), to get as much
shutter speed as possible. Canon7d, Sigma50/500 (image made at 450mm, nearly full frame), iso800,
1/1000, f9, cropped, selective NR on the bg, USM. Comments and critiques welcome.
Regards,
Shawn Zierman.
This is a super nice image; great composition, beautiful muted bkgd with colors that complement the bird, great natural perch, great position and details on the redpoll. Great that you captured a highlight in the eye and head angle looks fine. I like the wind blown feathers as they add a bit of drama to a perched bird. If you have it, I would like to see a bit more of the perch to tie the weed branches together. If you don't have more for the bottom, you might consider removing those few blossom bits that are cut in half and have no stalk supporting them.
Hi Shawn, good pose and HA, and I like the way the redpoll tucked into the perch.You have captured good detail and colours on the redpoll, and the sharpness looks spot on. Good use of f - stop to have the entire image in the DOF range, and what a sweet BG.
As always, thankyou kindly for the excellent feedback.
Nancy, I think your line of thinking was very much in line with mine at the time of capture.
I mentioned it was windy, and it was!...and bitter cold. The bird's pose fits this horizontal
presentation well, but the orientation of the perch definitely left room to consider a vertical
presentation. While I was photographing, I was mindful of how the perch was going to show and I
agree, that showing "connection" between the seed heads and the plant is important. That's
why I kept zooming out as I shot. The best result, as I will post here, is a full frame image
at 413mm. It definitely improves the "complete thought" regarding the perch, but the background
control began to be more complicated (for me anyway)... and then the bird flew off and I was unable
to achieve this type of scenario again. In the end, I prefer the OP to this and that's why I posted it.
I agree that removing those seed heads at the bottom of the frame is worth considering, but, even
though you can't see the connect, I like how they "anchor" the perch and speak to it's continuation
in the mind's eye....Anyway, ramble, ramble, ramble....Here is the full frame, zoomed out to 413mm.
Which do you prefer?
Good exposure and IQ. BG is perfect. I think I would use the first crop and just clone out those bottom blossoms (if you're into doing that). Very nice image!
I appreciate the thought you put into your comps. I was struck by the same thought as Nancy about the incomplete perch below, and a vertical might have been interesting if you had time. I do prefer the bird/BG in pane #1, but prefer a bit more of the perch. Because this perch doesn't merge to form a single clean stalk, it is a challenge exactly where to stop. If I had to chose, I would go with #1.
I would go with the OP and do some "pruning at the bottom of the canvas to keep the edges clean.
Don't have much more to add as nancy gave an excellent critique.
Really pretty image,
Gail
Tough call on the crop. I like both posts but I prefer the closeness of the OP so... I say crop more off the bottom of the OP to just where the bottom cluster starts or a little lower and remove the remains. Thats what i would do if this pretty image were mine. or... Use the second post but move the bird a little more to the right. Great detail BTW and I really like the perch
I too prefer the OP and feel the comp is well balanced (although the repost is no slouch!). I love the plumpness of the subject, the details, the BG, and the perch.
Common Redpoll
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