My first bird

[Richard Waas]

I guess if you post in BPN you should at last post a bird. Well fellow photographers here's my first. Photographed this image handheld with my Canon 40D, ISO 200, F/11.0, 1/20 sec, Sigma 80-400mm, 223mm, AV, sRGB, Pattern Metering, Auto WB, Auto exposure, No flash.

By the way, my wife wants to know if the brown streaks on the chest are dirt or natural. Comments are welcome......

[Richard Waas]

Not really knowing anything about photographing birds, I wondered if cropping the head would be a better comp.

[Ian McHenry]

Hi Richard
I like your picture. Pretty impressive for 1/20 sec handheld with an 80-400 lens.
My crop would be a bit different.
Here it is.
Cheers: Ian Mc

[Desmond Chan]

Of the three, I would pick the second one as far as composition goes, just personal preference. Problem is the lack of DOF is showing in that close crop. I would also recommend doing something to that pretty big, bright yellow spot in the background behind the head (top part of the photo).

[Katie Rupp]

I like door number two, Richard and what is that, it looks like an Egyptian Goose to me? Desmond's suggestion is a good one.

[Richard Waas]

Thanks for all your opinions. Here's the one with the yellow spot out. Any better?

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Richard Looks like you made it over to Crandon !!!!! Careful with those guys ... they are a terror !!!!

Love the last crop !!! Actually all look good just subtle changes but do prefer the last one.

For these close ups first try having the crop in camera. You have no problem getting close and will avoid heavy cropping. Dof comes into play here and not only the setting but the sensor placement. Do try to maximize the dof by focusing just ahead of the eyes.

The marking around the neck is natural for them and they also have one in the middle of the chest which they proudly show when agitated. btw in a National Geographic issue they had one of these guys holding his ground against a hippo !!!!!!

btw the bg is very important here You don't want any light areas competing for attention and generally also want to darken the corners just a bit to draw the focus on the center.

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Richard,
Welcome to bird land...:eek:;):):D I like your last repost. Agree with Mr. Forns about light distractions in the background...You did good...looking foward to your next one...:cool:

[Harold Davis]

like the last one the best just because it has a cleaner bg!! welcome to the bird world!! you are doomed now!!:D:D prepare to spend mucho dinero on big lens!!!:eek:

[Oscar Zangroniz]

Hey Richard:
Agree with Mr. H on his pick, I also like the cleaner background.
Hope you have a good time on vacation.
Regards,

[Richard Waas]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I guess that 300 mm F/2.8 is on my wish list.