Tree Swallow

[David Franzen]

Shot in Phelps, WI this spring. 10:00 am in the shade. Canon 40D, 300mm 2.8 + 2x, ISO 100, f5.6, 1/250.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Welcome to BPN, David! Very nice first post. I like the angle, head angle and slightly open beak. You could try to lighten the eye and black area in front of it a bit. Keep them coming!

[Bill Jobes]

Nice photo, David!
Swallows are among my personal favorites, and this is an excellent example.
I don't think it would hurt the whites to lighten the entire image just a little.
Welcome aboard!

[Doug Brown]

Welcome David! Nice first post too! Like the eye contact, sharpness, and open beak. To get the most out of critiques, take advantage of the maximum posting size (200 KB, and 800 pixels in the longest dimension). Look forward to seeing more of your work. Thanks for posting!

[David Franzen]

Thanks for the input. I am just learning and on a very sharp learning curve with processing. I have Elements 5 and do almost everything in Quick Fix. Will try to impliment your suggestion when I get more proficient.
Dave

[Arthur Morris]

Welcome David, You chose just the right perspective, low enough to be intimate, high enough to show the feet. The sun must have come out while you had your eye to the viewfinder as there is a shadow beneath the bird. Otherwise good advice above.