Another of those birds I tend to overlook because they're somewhat of a nuisance, and unless the light hits them right, aren't that pretty (they mostly just look like black birds). I was looking for another willing subject, but this was it. I liked the background and pose, but could have used a bit more light. Full frame shot (no crop) taken early this morning with Nikon D7000/500mm f/4-P, TC 1.6 @ 1/125, f/5.6, ISO 400. As always, comments, suggestions, and tips are most appreciated.
Funny how your perception changes with familiarity, and then you take a step back for a second look.
I met one of these for the first time in Mexico City last year and they reminded me so much of our Magpie - loud, proud and full of Corvid-style attitude, wonderfully subtle colours in that black plumage so easily dismissed/overlooked. Must admit they captivated me from the off. (The only shots I have of them the beak is wide open too!)
As far as this study is concerned I would only venture the opinion that he be afforded a little more room to flourish, beak- side (so some PS "cheating" for the greater "good") and maybe a sharper eye.
Nuisance bird? I think we sometimes forget/overlook the beauty in our more commonly seen avian companions. Cracking bird IMO.
You are making it hard to critique,..the work is amazing. OK,..here it comes, not sure but could the perch use a tad of clock-wise rotation or is my head on crooked. The shadows in the head really make this shot for me, I love the gray scale texture and the varying shades are sweet. Might be a bit tight but again still framed well. Just curious, was this HH or tripod?
Thanks Paul and Jeff for your comments and suggestions. Jeff, I forgot to include in the techs it was on my tripod/gimbal set up. I can't handhold this lens very well, so don't usually try, and the few times I do, the photos go to the trash. The perch is an old fence post, so it might could use some rotation...in the picture and in real life too.
Last edited by Jeannean Ryman; 03-29-2013 at 09:16 PM.
Stunning detail and pose! I'm always conflicted about bringing out the detail in a capture of a black bird like this, but -- hey -- if the sensor captured the detail, then it's there, and why not bring it out?
What would you think about making the post a little darker, with more detail (contrast)?
Good suggestion Diane. Thank you! Here's a repost with a darker post using Nik Detail Extractor (just got the free upgrade to all their plug-ins :) and some mid-tone levels adjustment. I also darkened the pupil of the eye, as I think that's why it didn't look sharp enough. Hope this looks better.
Nik Viveza is also great for selecting areas like this, using their control points and then making adjustments. Then if the correction spills out to the BG, set a "neutral" control point (or several) there to cancel it. Its ability to select an area can be uncanny.
Super photo and I think the RP is even better. Good advice above. I esp like all the details in the blacks. It appears as though your critical focus is on the wing. I think if you had focused on the eye and then recomposed, your head would be sharper.
Great-tailed Grackle
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