This is my first post here. From my quick review of images posted on this forum, I can see that I have a lot to learn! But that is what attracted me to this site (not to mention a referral from a fellow birder/photographer). I'm looking forward to learning as much as I can from the many excellent photographers who contribute to this site.
Anyway the attached image was captured at Crane Creek State Park located in Ohio. All comments/suggestions are welcome.
Welcome Tim. Great bird! I like this image for - it is what it is! You handled the situation nicely and I give big points to any warbler photos for degree of difficulty. But, (the big but!) the light is a little harsh due to the time of day probably. The head angle is the real biggie here though. I know exactly how difficult these warblers are to photograph, but if the head is not turned and the eye looking at us, the image is not at its best. I would also like to see more exp on the right wing (shadow/highlight in PS). I'm thinking maybe you could quick mask or clone out the OOF weed on the right and then crop in from the right and clone out the dark dried leaves above the bird. Of course, these suggestions are IMO and have come from a few months of being critiqued on this forum. I am sure that you will recieve much more input as time goes on.
Welcome again and keep the images coming.
Dan Brown,
Sacramento (PS. did I meet you at Crane Creek last week?)
Lots of good things going on here. First of all a good bird in frame placement. I like how you gave more room up front and just the right by the tail. Exposure looks good and just a bit of fill flash would have been great. Managed a real nice bg and balanced the image with the one oof stalk to the right. Lots of room for the bird in frame.
The bird does have a good head angle but the head is tilted away which does detract from the image. Could selectively work on the back feathers and lighten a bit, very easy fix. The bird was probably in mixed light. Would give it a try but running out the door to photograph. Excellent first pose and looking forward to many more !!!!
Thanks to all for the nice comments & suggestions you all have some great ideas on how I can improve this image and more that will come! I can already tell this is going to be a great place to learn and observe master bird photographers at work. I think I'm going to have to get a Better Beamer to extend the reach of my SB-800 and sharpen/improve my PS skills.
Dan...yes we did meet last week at Crane Creek! It was great meeting and talking with you in the field. Crane Creek is a great place for birding and photography. I have met many great people at Crane Creek who share my passion of birding and bird photography. Thanks to Dan I was able to find (and subscribe) to this wonderful web site! Does Dan get a referral bonus??!!
Thanks Again, I'm looking forward to learning more!
Blue-winged Warbler
