Common Gallinule

[Cambell Baxter]

Hi everyone :) It's my first time posting here and I'd really love some constructive criticism on my images. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post more than one at a time, but here's the first one to get started with. Are you allowed to post multiple images?

I shoot with a Canon 7D and was using my 400 f/5.6 here wide open. 1/200 at ISO 800 and I fired my external flash directly at the bird (my bad but I was excited, as it popped out of the reeds very close to me!). It was hand held and I was using single point focus, as far as I remember... I live in Bunbury, Western Australia, and this was shot at Big Swamp Bird Park from the board walk at about 3pm on an overcast day.

I'm really quite happy with this image, which is why I'd really appreciate some criticism on it so I can get even better! :D

Oh and please let me know if there's any information I didn't include!

Common Gallinule - 8.6.14 by camdavbax, on Flickr

[Diane Miller]

Hi Campbell, and welcome! You've found the right place for constructive critique and learning.

The rules for posting are a little different for Participants and Members. Check the Membership tab at the top of any screen. As a Participant you can only post one image a week, per forum. A $20 membership lets you post one every 24 hours, and makes a valuable contribution to keeping the site going.

I love portraits and you got a very sharp one here, although if conditions permit, a little more shutter speed and smaller aperture will give you an advantage for more keepers. I don't see any telltale evidence of flash, but it gave you a nice catchlight.

The brighter grasses in the BG compete with the bird a little -- I'd wonder if they and the greens-yellows could be toned down a little.

I always find it difficult to know how to crop a head shot like this. You don't want to crowd the direction where it's looking, but you don't want too much empty space, either.

We look forward to seeing more of your images. Don't forget to comment on others' images -- that creates a community and is a great way to learn, too.

[Cambell Baxter]

Membership, check! :D

I've realised more and more about my equipment since June (when this shot was taken) and I can pretty confidently shoot the 7D at ISO 3200 if the conditions are right, which gives me room to play with aperture and SS. Thanks for the tip though, as I still have to make sure I'm using the right settings. Arthur Morris said that you should shoot wide open unless you can verbalise why you need to stop down, so I do that in most situations :)

I hadn't thought about the green background competing with the blue bird, but it actually makes a lot of sense to me. I'll have a go at re-editing it sometime :)

Thanks so much for your reply, Dianne. I really appreciate it!

[Mike Herdman]

I would have been very excited if this bird popped out on me too...Vibrant bird/beak...nice detail...the background is kind of bright (to me) and takes my eye away from the bird as Dianne mentioned.

[Sandy Witvoet]

Hi Cambell!
Lovely portrait! Agree with Diane and Mike on the BG.... I think you did a great job on exposing both the reds and the blues here... great detail on both without being overly hot nor underexposed. Is there a bit of magenta creeping in on the far right side? (the bird's back?) Not being familiar with the species, it just seems a bit "purple-ish" (for lack of a better term.)
Welcome to BPN!

[Cambell Baxter]

Thanks for your comment, Sandy :)

The Gallinules (Swamp Hens) are naturally an iridescent blue and purple, and I'm pretty happy with how the colours ended up, especially the wet beak! :D

I took on the suggestions you all gave and darkened the background in lightroom using the green luminance slider. What do you think? I really like the change! Thank you all!

[Sandy Witvoet]

Thanks for the info the the "purple" Campbell! I like your RP, but it seems to starting to look a little noisy and the bright whites on the "left-ish" side are popping a bit. BUT.... that Red Bill is to "DIE FOR"!

[Diane Miller]

The BG (and almost all "greens") are more yellow than green, so try a mix of both. It's an improvement but maybe a little less than this much is worth a look.

The bird is distinct enough it would be easy to select with the PS quick Selection tool, for other adjustments like Curves, to the BG, for tonal changes more flexible than color luminance. Many possibilities here.