Kestrel

[Jon Thornton]

A Kestrel enjoying the last moments of sunlight at the end of a hard day at the local sewerage works.

[Dave Mills]

Great shot! I would add some canvas to the rear of the bird....

[Daniel Cadieux]

...and above and even more at left, and then perhaps crop a bit at bottom :-) He's just a little cramped up there in ULC. Exposure looks good, but I would tone down the brightest part on the subject. Colours and sharpness are good.

[Alexander Koenders]

I agree with above comments do i like the picture a lot i find the light verry harsh

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Hi Jon
Very nice, though perhaps a touch tight. I don't think the light's harsh at all. :)

[Arthur Morris]

I agree that the light is anything but harsh. The biggest problem is the steep angle to the bird. I would crop a bit from the bottom and add a bit behind the bird for a pano look. Sharp and a nice bird.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Perhaps is not the pano suggested by Arthur, but I was working on it when I saw his comment. I also, don't find the light harsh, in fact is almost ''sweet light IMO'' yes, I know, lately I been trying to ''help'' with my PS skills, but is just because I am learning and I like to practice, I hope I am not bothering anyone.

About this image, is a great image, again, in my humble opinion. Love details on feathers and that eye contact is something else. Great job.

[Jon Thornton]

Thanks for your comments everyone. The consensus seems to be that the crop was too tight. Having seen a looser crop (thanks Juan) I now agree entirely.

Arthur, I take your point about the steep angle. I too, prefer to photograph birds from their eye level. Having said this however, would you agree that the use of a steep angle can sometimes successfully be used to emphasise the height at which a bird is perched?

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Jon, I would certainly agree that "the use of a steep angle can sometimes successfully be used to emphasise the height at which a bird is perched? "

It is just that my personal preference is that I do not like the look or the feel of such images (even though you have "successfully" emphasized the height...)

[Jon Thornton]

Hi Arthur, thanks for the follow up. I respect your opinion (and love your work).

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Jon. As per my original comment, I cropped from the bottom and then added canvas left and right for more of a pano look. Then I reduced the contrast and softened (de-SAT-ed) the blues. All combined to give the impression that you were much more on the same level as the bird. Most of that due to "shortening" the perch.

[Jon Thornton]

Hi Arthur, I much prefer your crop. The bird looks much less cramped and much closer to eye level now.