female cardinal as shot

[mikedelaney]

canon 40D
70-300 mm
f 5.6
1/60 s.
ISO 800
shot using a tripod. this is the last photo of a female that i shot before the molt. She's still a beauty.
i see the eye as a problem. the pupil seems too high. any ideas? i used selective sharpening on the eye.

[Desmond Chan]

Overall, I think it's good. Some may have problem with the brighter spots in the background. I would sharpen the bird though. Perhaps also enhanced its colors.

[Lance Peters]

Hi Mike - nice head angle and eye contact. BG is busy - but that is what it is.

Agree with desmond - some sharpening needed on the bird - like this...

[Tell Dickinson]

Hi, a pleasing shot and the repost has improved it. Although the background is a little busy it does put the bird nicely in its habitat :)

Tell

[Alfred Forns]

Fully agree with previous Mike !!! The bright spot is about the biggest eye grabber Rest of bg you can smooth out a bit but not as eye catching. Keep getting closer to these little guys !!!

[Katie Rupp]

Another nice one, Mike. Your skills have really improved, way to go!!

[mikedelaney]

hi Lance did you use standard sharpening tool to get this (smart sharpen)?? mine always look like wood when i sharpen more.
you got the look i've been striving for. mine always look "wet" like i get feathers but no real definition or over sharpened that look like wood.
i'd appreciate any technique tips.

[Alfred Forns]

Mike in Educational Resources there is a great thread on sharpening Will paste the link below.

Basically you make a duplicate layer, sharpen the image, make a mask and brush the bg which you don't want sharpened. All is in the thread.

http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...read.php?t=452

[Julie Kenward]

Nice image, Mike! I don't mind the BG that much - it's not too overpowering to me - but getting in even closer will help cut down on some of that.