On a Stump

[Mike Tracy]

Older file found today while cleaning up some folders. Soliciting opinions regarding the inclusion of the branches and twigs with this crop. Of course any other feedback is welcomed as well.

Canon 20D, 100-400 @400mm, 1/250, f/7.1, ISO200, fill flash E.C. -1/3

[Tony House]

Looks good to me, nice comp and the inclusion of the habitat works for me. The only branch I might clone out is the one touching the birds tail...

Nice work.
Tony

[Tony Whitehead]

I agree with Tony regarding the touching branch but find the rest fine as habitat and balancing the composition. I might try a version blurring the branches on the right a little.

[Dave Mills]

Hi Mike...I thought I would play with the image and see if I found a crop that I like. I find that including so much of the environment there is a tendancy to minimalize your center of interest which is the bird. I kept in some of the environment but made the bird stronger in the image. I also lightened the bird a little bit.

[Tony Whitehead]

Back from work so have PS available to try the blurring idea. How does that work for you? Our eyes naturally seek brightness, sharpness or colour and I think using sharpness to isolate the subject helps here.

[Robert Amoruso]

I think that helps Tony but I guess I am prejudiced now that I know you blurred the branches as I find myself staring at them. :)