Late Fall Annas

[Terry Olmsted]

With our rejuvenated penstamens this fall, our Annas are showing up in the late afternoon
10/09/2008 Canon XTi
400mm 1/800s f5.6 ISO 1600 Neat Image noise filter

[Fabs Forns]

Nice capture, Terry :)
The BG seems very noisy to me, maybe from compression. SOme poeple would prefer him facing you instead of away.

Lucky you, we never get to see them in the wild anymore :(

[Terry Olmsted]

Thanks very much for your critque, Fabs. The noise results from a significant crop and ISO 1600 which for the XTi is fairly high unless using full frame.
Here is a head-on view of the same hummer - I thought about submitting it, but changed my mind. Its a bit dark, but given the lighting situation and brief opportunity, I felt lucky getting it. Any commnets?

[Ed Cordes]

I like the first much better. Yes, the bird is facing away, but the front and partial interior of the flower is visible, so it's a trade off. Only real problem with the first image is the blurry wing coming right at my face from the image.

[Terry Olmsted]

I agree, Ed. Thanks for the comment - given the circumstances, I had to take what I could get with wide open and ISO 1600. Maybe when I get my 50D :).

[Mark Schmitt]

I too, would like say I prefere the 1st image. It's impact overall is more complling. Have to agree that there is considerable noise in the bg and elswhere. Do use any post processing ? There are several ways to remove, or minimize noise: create a separate layer (in photshop), isolate the bg and use gausian blur then re-merge the layers: stand alone noise reduction programs like "Noise Ninga", or "Neat". Hope this does not offend. Just think you have good image here and a little work makes it sparkele. That said, good over-all image.

[Terry Olmsted]

No offence at all, Mark. Thanks very much for your suggestions. I'll work on it!
Terry