Great Crested Flycatcher with Ground Skink

[Dave Kilpatrick]

D300/80-400VR @330mm
Gitzo 3531LSV/Markins M-20
1/500 @ f/5.6
ISO 200
Flash Ex Comp +1.0

I submitted a version of this image on 11 December and one of the critiques was that it needed more room at the bottom and top. The lack of room was due to the crop that took effect when I straightened the image. This is a version of the original image that is not straightened. Should I have left it as it was? Does the lack of vertical alignment detract from the image?

[Doug Brown]

Here is the original image for comparison's sake.

[Dave Kilpatrick]

Thanks Doug.

You have beautiful photos on your web site!

Dave

[Malcolm Benn]

D300/80-400VR @330mm
Gitzo 3531LSV/Markins M-20
1/500 @ f/5.6
ISO 200
Flash Ex Comp +1.0

I submitted a version of this image on 11 December and one of the critiques was that it needed more room at the bottom and top. The lack of room was due to the crop that took effect when I straightened the image. This is a version of the original image that is not straightened. Should I have left it as it was? Does the lack of vertical alignment detract from the image?

Between the two images I prefer the non cropped image. Try adding canvas in photshop and then straightening it so as to maintain the space around the subject.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

The added space and colors look much better. I would only try to clone out the branch touching the bird's chest and rotate a bit.

[Robert O'Toole]

The newer version looks just great...question is where is the skink? I see a flying insect in the birds bill, maybe a cicada? Is the skink camo so good its invisible?

Robert

[Art Kornienko]

I prefer the original version just as it is, my only comment is that to me it looks a touch on the dark side.