Stroke of luck!

[Paul Keeble]

This is an old one from last January taken in Dahab (Egypt) with my old 500D

I saw him snapping away at small insects around the hotel driveway and just stayed with him.
Never dreamed I'd end up with one like this!
This was the only large food item I saw him take so very lucky shot indeed.

It's quite a big crop (I think a little above 20%) so I doubt there's any more real quality to be had but I personally think the interest factor outweighs that shortcoming.

Is there a better crop though?
The kerb is a little ugly so I've favoured the sandy BG more.

Any suggestions/comments very much appreciated.


500D & EF400 5.6
Hand-held Av +2/3 EC
1/3200 f5.6 ISO 400
(I've learned a bit since then so now I would go for a lower ISO and stop down little too (DOF) to take advantage of the light - hey ho!)


PP...




Converted to 16 bit TIFF in DPP
Opened in CS6
Levels adjustment
Curves adjustment
Removed some distracting blades of grass/bits of gravel
Topaz Denoise 5
Hint more colour Saturation
Crop/Resize/USM

[Jeannean Ryman]

I love images showing the birds catching their food! As for the crop, if you can get away with it, I'd crop some off the top and right side and see how it holds up. Nice catch by you and the bird!

[Paul Keeble]

Thanks Jeannean - I'll give that a go.

[Paul Keeble]

Is this better do you think?

Cleaned up the kerb a little more too.

[Jeannean Ryman]

Better Paul, but if the IQ can handle it, I'd go even tighter to bring the eye down closer to the bird. Something like this.

[Paul Keeble]

Yes I see what you mean - a little more compelling that way.

The last one I posted was only resized down from 1600px to 1000px.


I've just tried your crop which ends up at around 1350 px I do feel the IQ is pretty much on the limit now though!

It's never going to end up at the printers anyway but I can't just throw it away.

Thanks again for your time - much appreciated.

[Steve Kaluski]

Paul, how about something like this, a 16 x 9 crop? Just thought there was too much dead space above?

TFS
Steve

[Paul Keeble]

Thanks Steve - that does indeed look better - cheers :-)

I've never really looked at wide crops like this - something I should consider more often I think.

[Steve Kaluski]

hi Paul, it's a lot easier to comment and make suggestions when it's not your image, as you are not close to it, 'Wood for the trees' scenario.

My suggestion would be never really do a proper edit straight after you come back from a shoot, do a basic one yes, but then wait at least a week. The reason being you can see things you might have noticed in the early stages and ditch a 'keeper', likewise cropping, just try things like square, pano, 16 x 9, 3 x 2... it's so easy in PS and you might surprise yourself.