Black Phoebe

[Mark Schmitt]

Bird is in need of a moult. This was taken in June. Don't like the contra-shading in the flanks and belly area. Didn't quite have the Sun where it would have yielded the best results.

EXIF
Camera: Canon 20D
Lense: Canon EF 500 IS L / f 4.0
Mode: manual
Metering: pattern
Exposure: 1/640 @ f 7.1; comp. -.33
ISO: 200
White bal: custom 5400K
monopod
Work flow: Adobe Lightroom 1.4 / Adobe CS2

[Tony Whitehead]

Good self critique, Mark. I would crop from the right just inside the bump sticking up off the perch and then a little off the left - to me the perch just looks too prominent as presented. Very nice BG.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the pose, details and BG and agree with Tony regarding the crop. Since the light is harsh, fill flash might have helped.

[Mark Schmitt]

Good self critique, Mark. I would crop from the right just inside the bump sticking up off the perch and then a little off the left - to me the perch just looks too prominent as presented. Very nice BG.

See what you mean. And it does detract some. Will take the advice into consideration. Thanks for the comments. ;)