I quite like the 3D effect and framing on this one (apart from the lower cut tail tip), interested to know what others think?
Taken on the banks of the Luangwa River, Sth Luangwa Nat Park - Zambia.
Nikon D2Xs, 300 f/2.8 VR, ISO 400, f/2.8, 1/1000s@300.
beautiful colors and light. the circle of birds looks amazing.
did you also try a shot with a smaller f-stop to get the more distant bird (lower right) sharper? If find the unsharpness a little distracting. but going with f8 or f11 might have ruined the calm background.
Marc, I like the composition a lot, it is almost perfect, (3/4 of the circle is perfect). I agree that a bit more DOF could have rendered more of the birds in focus, but obviously that is a trade off with the BG...
I like Tony's crop. The three in-focus birds and clean background seem like a better image overall. The circle was a good idea but just too many problems with OOF, overlaps, one bird turned away, etc. These colors are beautiful.
A wonderful opportunity and a nice series of images. I like Marc's version the best. The light and the subjects are very sweet. The merged bird at nine o'clock that is looking away and the branch in front of it are unfortunate.
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What a cool photo op these beautiful birds gave you, with wonderful light and background. I can sure see why you were attracted to this view! If it were me I'd keep it, but I do think that both reposts are probably better, for the reasons already stated. On your 2nd version, how about going ahead and cloning out the thicker branch at the bottom while you're at it? Seems to serve no purpose and I find my eye wanting to get hung up on it.
A bouquet of Carmines
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