Shrike

[Judy Howle]

I am so happy that I was able to finally get my older drive imported into my new computer. It wouldn't read the files because the drive was listed as "dynamic foreign". I googled and found out how to "import" it in the disk manager and then I could see my files. Since the other drive died that this one backed up, if I hadn't been able to access it, I would have lost all my early files with lots of birds, trips to the Smoky Mtns, the Refuge, etc.

This image was from 2007. It's not really too OOTB except for the frame. I did a good bit of work in Lightroom on the lighting and 2 radial filters to blur the edges and lighten the bird. I used Exposure 7 Kodachrome 25 preset on it also.

[Dennis Bishop]

It's good that you were able to retrieve your files. The colors and lines in this are both very pleasing. I particularly like that the branch on the far right follows the vegetation in the background so well. The depth of field nicely draws attention to the bird, but my eye is distracted by mostly the brightness, I think, of the pink shape to its right. The extra color is a plus, but I'd suggest subduing it a bit.

[Hazel Grant]

yes, nice. like the frame and the glow from the sun around the bird. Not sure about that pink circle. Good "hello Spring" photo. Sooooo glad you got your photos saved and back.

[Judy Howle]

Thanks for the comments Dennis. Yes, I don't really like the pink "thing" as is (or maybe not at all) and can't figure out what it is other than a flying bird because this is at the river just below the dam and gulls and other birds fly there over the river. I will do something with it starting with just darkening it.

It's good that you were able to retrieve your files. The colors and lines in this are both very pleasing. I particularly like that the branch on the far right follows the vegetation in the background so well. The depth of field nicely draws attention to the bird, but my eye is distracted by mostly the brightness, I think, of the pink shape to its right. The extra color is a plus, but I'd suggest subduing it a bit.

[Judy Howle]

Thanks Hazel! I will work on the pink blob. Yes, I am delighted to have recovered my files. I am in the process of copying everything to a new 4 Gb internal drive. I now have 5 hard drives in my computer. I might take this one out or just disconnect it after I get them all copied and just keep it safe.

[Anita Bower]

You must be breathing a sigh of relief at recovering your files! Good for you in getting them back.

I love the feel of this image--soft yet sharp--if that makes any sense. Soft due to bg, sharp because of the backlighting around the bird and branches.

I'd eliminate the pink blob.