People,
This picture was taken in May but I have recently unearthed the thing and wish to present it for your considered feedback. Taken with the Canon 7D and 200mm f2.8L and Kenko 1.4 teleconverter for a combined focal length of 280mm. iso400, 1/1250, f4. I have cropped a slab off the top, and a smidgin from the right side, all of this for compositional purposes. Ah, head angles! I had pictures with a few more traditional head angles, but loved this one the best by far. The grey abyss-like background would never have worked for me unless the robin was looking into it. Obviously I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on the matter, and if we agree to disagree, please know that I will respect you all the more, unless you weasel down into rebukes and name-calling. Ha! Something further: what are your thoughts on removing the o.o.f. dandelion yellow that sits at robin's breast? Last: should the bright yellow of the dandelions be toned down? Do they overpower the robin? Or do they juxtapose nicely with the drab grey abyss? Thank you very kindly for taking the time to consider this picture!
Hey Jack, I like the composition. I like the low angle and I like the BG. I have issues with the OOF area near the tail of the bird as well as the dandelions in that area. I think the head angle could be better..If he was looking more toward the camera (making it a better head angle) would he no longer be looking out into the "grey abyss" with the other eye???
The light quality is excellent, in particular for what it does for the dandelion flowers...nice exposure work on your part to render them bright,
but not blown out. The robin looks sharp, and the scene is composed smartly. You do a nice job selling the head angle in your post text, but
I'm not buying. If I had this image and the very next image had the robin more squared to the camera with a better head angle, I would
take the better head angle image any day...
Hi Jack,
I like the yellow pop of the dandelions and the colors in this shot as well. Great POV and good IQ.
I am OK with the OOF flower against the robin's breast but could see it gone as well.
The problem for me is the "looking into the abyss". This would work better if the viewer could see what the robin is seeing . If the robin had been angled and looking to the right I could see what the robin is seeing and that would work better IMHO!
I would also crop from the LHS to just past the tallest dandelion on the left.
All in all. I quite like it,
Gail
The image quality and composition are perfect. Eye-contact, alert pose or it hunting would be ideal. It's not often you see a bird staring into an abyss for any reason. But, I like the image as is. It's a personal preference image.
Very nice shot Jack.
I really like the comp here, excellent shooting angle, nice light, and love the flowers.
I'm ok with the oof flower and to ME a better head angle would be more ideal.
I really like your different perspective images. Their unique and it's your own personal style. I commend you for that.
Well done.
Thanks for the good and considered and thoughtful comments, all. Lucky for me I did save a couple of VERY similar takes with "better" head angles. This one just worked the best for me. Perhaps I'll post a different look at the same scene another time. Or perhaps it would be better to move on to something else. Anyhow, again, thanks for your words and your time.
A great setting Jack for your Robin to rest - very eye-catching and I like your pano crop that really strengthens the composition. The yellows look just fine IMO but (Dare I say it) I'm another vote for a head-turn towards the lens
I too am OK with the OOF flower you mention. Would I have preferred it not there? Surely. But I would not process it out either. I do like the crop you chose, and the techs look good. As for the HA I agree with the others that I would prefer it better and square to the sensor. In the end it is your image and if you like this one best then that is OK in my books!
Robin, staring into the abyss
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