Black-Capped Chickadee

[gail bisson]

I worked on some set-ups in my back yard this week.
Attracted with 3 sunflower seeds that I glued into the back of the moss with peanut butter. At the other end of the perch I had a little bowl hanging filled with seeds.
I love square crops and thought this looked best. I do have a landscape orientation which I will post below.
Canon 1Dx 600mm II
ISO 2500 S 1/640 F 5.6
Processed in DPP ( amazing RAW converter for high ISO), crop, NR to BG,off to CS5 for levels and USM to JPEG.
The wind blew the perch towards me so the perch was no longer parallel to my camera.Didn't notice it until I checked my images later that day. Rookie mistake...
Comments and critiques always appreciated and learned from with thanks,
Gail

[gail bisson]

Landscape orientation

[Ross Taylor]

Hi Gail, those Chickadees are so cooperative for setups eh? Fantastic perch, background and compositions. I much like the square crop over the landscape. Great IQ, and I don't really mind the OOF far end of the perch.

Thanks for sharing! Ross

[Joseph Przybyla]

Very nice, love your image. I prefer the square crop. Thank you for sharing.

[David Salem]

I don't mind square crops at all either but I find that many people scauff at them. I compose a frame to fit the pose and the setting and if a square one works best, then I like it! This is such a perfect example where a square comp works best!
First off, a vertical doesn't work at all IMO so we are left with a 2x3 that everybody likes to conform to, or a square or squarish crop. This one is a no brainer, the 2x3 leaves to much room in front of the subject along with the perch falling out of the DOF throughout the open area. If that part of the perch were more in focus, and more interesting, then I could see the landscape comp working. I would still have done the square comp as you did because it showcases the killer details and exposure control on this beautiful frame. Well done Gail and thanks for the comp comparison.

[keith mitchell]

Crop wise I like them both but it's the bird itself that gets my attention it really is smashing ,beautiful exposure and lovely textured feather detail, Gail you must be very pleased with this.

Keith.

[Randy Stout]

Gail:

Many pluses, but what really cements it for me is the lovely soft light, which allows everything to show well, not harsh. Square crop works for me a well.

Makes me want to do a setup here as well. I did it for several years early on, but have done none for a number of years. During the winter, it would be a good move.

Thanks for the inspirational picture!

Cheers

Randy

[dankearl]

I like the Landscape version, more eye movement, very attractive plant you chose for the bird.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Gail, lovely angled pose, and I really like the soft light light, and well done on nailing the overall exposure. Thats a killer perch you chose, and love the colour of the BG. Your square crop works well as your OP, but if the perch hadnt blown and was still in focus, I would have gone with the landscape version.

[Karl Egressy]

I like the square crop over the original. The perch is fantastic and the pose is nice, Gail.

[William Dickson]

Very nice Gail. Great IQ and colours throughout the image. I am with Stuart, and think if the perch had been in focus, I too would go for the landscape.

Will

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Beautiful IQ, Gail. You've captured this beauty in great light and what a pose, not to mention the great tones in the BG. Beautiful perch. In this instance I prefer the square crop.



Geoffrey

[Jim Crosswell]

Excellent image Gail! I like the composition in the OP, IQ, pose, perch, light and complimentary BG.

[Marina Scarr]

What a perfectly lovely, delicate image, Gail!!! I'd go with OP.