Red kite

[Jonathan Ashton]

Camera Model Canon EOS-1D X
Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv(Shutter Speed) 1/3200
Av(Aperture Value) 5.6
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
Exposure Compensation 0
ISO Speed 800
Auto ISO Speed OFF
Lens EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
Focal Length 400.0mm

All C&C welcome (just wondering about the texture of the background, I felt smoothing it too much would look false - WDYT?)

[Gerhard Weldhagen]

Background looks fine to me, the suggestion of trees make it look more natural.

[gail bisson]

The kite is beautiful and I love the wing position and incoming flight path.
I quite like the BG .
I am wondering why the line between the FG and BG (to the right of kite's wing) is so odd-looking. ? compression artifact.
I like your comp but could also see a version with a bit off the LHS and the same amount added back into RHS,
Gail

[Jonathan Ashton]

The kite is beautiful and I love the wing position and incoming flight path.
I quite like the BG .
I am wondering why the line between the FG and BG (to the right of kite's wing) is so odd-looking. ? compression artifact.
I like your comp but could also see a version with a bit off the LHS and the same amount added back into RHS,
Gail

Gail it stands out like a sore thumb and I didn't notice it!! I think it is where I painted lightly over the area - there was a pale area of fencing that pulled the eye from the bird - what a chump!

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Jon, nice sharp image, you must have been close, Gigrin?

The colours are rich and vibrant and I do like the outstretched wings and position, but personally I would like a bit more below, I find it a wee bit tight, you never mention if this is FF or cropped???

there was a pale area of fencing that pulled the eye from the bird - what a chump!

Yep, but an easy fix Jon.

[Jonathan Ashton]

This particular one was a crop Steve, the others (previous) are cropped rather less - yes it was Gigrin