I've gone back to re-do this file from earlier this year. It is a fairly heavy crop and as a result contains much noise. I've done the blur thing on the backround which seems to have helped that area. Did a real light blur on the bird to try and hide some noise there without softening the bird too much. I have a feeling you guys will say I'm asking too much of this shot (does that mean I'm actually learning?). Anyway, please voice your thoughts and guidance. It will be appreciated.
Dave, I can see why you like this image, the singing/calling pose and the background. That said, I think your assessment is right on and believe me, I have some in my collection that I want to keep in spite of....
Dave, I like the pose with feet on different branches, and the open mouth singing. I think the face might have been sharper if you were able to angle yourself or at least the camera to parallel more the body of the bird. I think that is a weakness in my last image I uploaded too, of the reddish egret--slightly off plane with the subject. The shadow of the oof twig on the tail feathers is distracting to me. I kept thinking the twig was behind the bird and was trying to figure out how it could be showing through the tail feathers. ohhhh, it must be in _front_ of the bird. lol
Would try doing in camera what you were doing in PS!!!! Get close, use fill flash and go wide open. .................. also remember the head angle !!!!
Thanks to all for your time and comments. I think it may be time to take a step back and analyze what I'm doing. The information from this and previous posts have taught me quite a bit about my approach to these subjects. I am seeing more and more the areas of my shots that fall below where they need (or could) be. Hopefully my posts will gradually begin to rise closer to the level I have seen from others here. Baby steps !!! Thanks again.
Yellowthroat
