Lapland Longspur #2 and How would you crop this?

[gail bisson]

I found this image after I posted the last one. It is much better re: bird's position on the perch.
There are lots of possibilities for a crop and would appreciate your advice. I will post FF in pane 2.
Canon 1DX
F 600mm and 1.4X
ISO 800/ SS 1/400/ F 5.6
Minimal PP; Used DPP for RAW conversion, increased exposure by .5, NR to BG, levels, lightened the face, boosted saturation by +6, DE to bird at 4% and perch at 2%, USM on JPEG at 40%/ 0.3 pixels
Comments and critiques always learned from and appreciated with thanks,
Gail

[gail bisson]

Here is the FF image

[Jonathan Ashton]

This is a tricky one to compose, I like the rock and striking a compromise between capturing the bird and showing some of the environment is not straightforward, this is what I settled for, though I must admit I like your version.

[Mike Milicia]

I really like the perch and it's already so massive that I think it needs to play a major role.
I like the direction that Jonathan took but might go a bit looser.
Looking forward to seeing other interpretations!

[Iain Barker]

I think I prefer your original crop with more space on the right than the re-posts.
Nice picture by the way.

[David Salem]

Hi Gail. I played with this and you do have allot of options on this one. Here is one. I like the lichen covered wood but thought the large part on the left was maybe competing with the subject. Actually I like them all so its a toss up.

[vishaljadhav]

i think i would go with the original post , looks the best to my eye.

[Jim Crosswell]

Another vote for the OP. That perch is full of character and the lichens really add a lot to the image.

[Marina Scarr]

I have to tell you that I really like your #1 the best and keep thinking about that one when I look at all the crops here. I actually think I like the full frame the best with David's crop second.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I'm OK with your OP. Yes, the subject is centered, but the comp is heavy on the left half and very light on the right half with lots of empty space for the direction of the gaze. I could also see a version with the subject kept smaller in the frame...from your full-frame image cropping down just enough to hide the gap in ULC and than a bit each side to retain the ratio. Excellent colours, head turn.

[christopher galeski]

Beautiful image,great perch,like your original post best.

[Frank Schauf]

Nice in habitat shot.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Gail, Firstly, I like your OP as is, so wouldnt change a thing. Lovely colours throughout the image, especially the yellow lichen, and a great pose from the bird, not to mention the sharpness. Its fun when you can play around with different comps and still have a good result. As mentioned, Im going with your OP, but the others all work in their own way.

[Girish Prahalad]

excellent details & colors. love the lichen covered perch.
OP looks best for the comp with David's #6 coming a close 2nd

[Bill Dix]

Another great frame of this beauty. The OP works just fine for me. I could imagine a slivver off the top and right, but would probably just keep the #1 pane as is. I like David's approach too.

[Matthew Studebaker]

Nice one Gail. I might go for a horizontal crop here actually, but there are a lot of good options.