mountain bluebird

[Dave Slaughter]

This is a photo of a mountain bluebird. I'm not sure I'd like it hanging on a wall as it reminds me of what an insect's last living view might be like, but it's unusual. Canon Xti, 400 mm f5.6 lens, 32 mm extension tubes

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Hi Dave, I just love this portrait. It is full of character and the colours are glorious. My only slight niggle - and I do realise that it was an exremely sunny day! - is the shadow of the bill. Many congrats!
Nicki

[Julie Kenward]

I love it, too but think the blues are a bit oversaturated. Would love to see you pull those down a bit - not enough to lose the color but just enough to lose the 'fake' blue look that he seems to have.

Beautiful pose!

[Katie Rupp]

Nice shot, good pose and sharp; your summary is just too funny.:)

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Dave Neat in your face pose !!! For these you really need to be precise in your point of focus and since you do have a clean bg do stop down as much as you can. The extension tubes do minimize the dof and suck up light !!!

I decreased saturation in the blue channel, got rid of the shadow from the beak and lighten the left side of face some. Did some work to sharpen around the eye area.

[Dave Slaughter]

Thanks very much for the time and effort you put in to correcting this photo. It's very good to see an example of what you are suggesting, but I know it takes time and effort.

[Gus Cobos]

Great capture Dave.
I like the up close and in your face pose...I like the repost by Mr. Al...:cool:

[Alfred Forns]

HI Dave its a fast fix !!! The reduced in saturation is just one step. Removing the shadow will be easy after you master some quick mask procedures. Would suggest working on them since they will be used a lot !!!