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Thread: Clay-Colored Sparrow, Montana

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    Default Clay-Colored Sparrow, Montana

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    Canon 1D4
    500mm +1.4x

    ISO 1000
    f/5.6
    1/1600 sec

    I photographed this Clay-Colored Sparrow out the window of my car as I drove around Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge in NE Montana last month (I didn't figure out what it was till I get home; I had never seen one before). It had been raining most of the day, and the sparrow looked a bit wet.
    I am not sure as to how to crop this. I am including full frame below. I don't want to crop tightly as I like the framing of the leaves and branches.
    I did a touch of NR on background, Curves adjustment, sharpened, lightened the face of the sparrow just a tad.
    Thanks very much in advance for any comments and critiques.

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    Full frame.

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    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
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    This is a stunning and artistic image, Melissa. I just love small birds in the frame and this one is no exception. The details in your bird are terrific and the vegetation and green BG are a perfect environment for this cutie-pie. While I really like your choice of crops, I am submitting another one. I don't like mine better...it's just another you may to consider as an option.
    Last edited by Marina Scarr; 07-01-2013 at 01:44 PM.
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    Fantastic image! A real beauty.

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    Wonderful shot.
    Very nice light, wonderful background, and great pose.
    I really like how the branches frame the bird. Me personally like the OP.
    Very well done.

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    BPN Member Julie Brown's Avatar
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    Hi Melissa,

    This is a wonderful image. I like Marina's re-crop-it is more intimate and yet still retains the lovely environment in the frame.
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    I also like the image on #1 best. I love the soft light, the beautiful sharp detail and textures of the bird and tree Melissa.

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Hi Melissa, great find for you, nestled amongst all that foliage. The little guy is tack sharp, and overall, I do like all the yellows and greens of the surrounding leaves. Comp wise, all versions look good.

    While Im about it, I will throw in my thoughts too.

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    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
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    I liked the OP best until I saw Stuart's, whick I think is interesting as it is a bit more unconventional.
    The image is so good (the foliage is amazing), that I could see a number of differents prints made.
    Very Nice!
    Dan Kearl

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    Excellent image all around, Melissa!

    FWIW, here is my take on a crop (retaining the original aspect ratio).

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    Oh my goodness, so hard to choose! I like all the suggestions offered! Thanks so much for the reposts and the feedback. I need to consider the possibilities some more.

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    BPN Member Robert Kimbrell's Avatar
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    Such beautiful surrounding foliage. All the crops make this bird look just great.
    Robert Kimbrell



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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Melissa:

    The soft light and colors really make this one.

    Choice on the crop depends a bit on your end use. If shown larger, I think the smaller bird in frame/looser crop works well, but as the viewed image gets smaller, a bit tighter crop works better.

    Cheers

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    Lifetime Member David Salem's Avatar
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    Very nice lighting and color on this one Melissa. The bird is clear and sharp which makes it pop out from the background very well.
    So many choices, but I think your original post or Mike's post suits me best.
    Very pretty picture.

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    very nice Melissa,nice soft light,bird tack sharp,love the foliage and BG.

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    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    Hi Melissa! ( How are you?)
    This is so nice.
    I like the OP the best and Mike's as well.
    I love the IQ and the colors in this shot.
    Great small in the frame look and the HA police will like this one.
    Gail

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    Excellent image of cute little sparrow on beautiful perch. I like the green leaves and nice green and almost all compositions.
    Love the pose of bird,nice HA,colors and details.

    Regards,
    Satish.

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    Beautiful girl. And shot out the window even kudos on the find. I love all the color and light and vegetation as well as the fact that the bird is fluffy. So many takes on the crop. For me I like it a little tighter with some off the right side.

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