Self critique: The DOF could be much better as the only part of the bird in reasonable focus is the head and throat area: sharpness could benefit from a faster shutter (using only a monopod with a 500mm and only 1/200 sec): BG is good: perch is interesting: just a smidge more heat turn: and perhaps crop in from the right a bit.
PP: Dodge burn layer for perch; Gausian blur to smooth out BG; chan mix layer for color sat; adjust layer levels contrast.
EXIF: Camera: Canon 30D Lense: Canon EF 500 IS L f 4.0 Mode: manual Metering: partial ISO: 250 White bal: custom 4900K Exposure: 1/200 @ 5.0; no compensation: ambient light.
Good self critique. :) I am not sure why not use a higher ISO? If you shoot accordingly and check histogram often, you'll find with a 30D ISO 800 is a blast! Your shutter speed would have increased significantly. I am not a fan of square crops sadly and would have liked a more portrait format for this type of image. Head angle is fine. Another sharpen of the head area would be great!
Hi Mark, I agree with you about the head turn, I don´t mind the DOF you´ve got the comp is great as it is the perch but in my very perosnal opinion, the square format doesn´t work. Congratulations!
I pretty much agree with your own points. I would crop it as vertical and sharpen the head more. Head angle and DOF look fine to me. The color temperature looks a bit low, maybe 5200 or so.
Hey Mark it is very easy to write a comment to your images because you are very good selfcritizing your own work and I think that is a fantastic and healthy exercise for a photographer. I agree with you on your statements and I do like this image :-)
Another vote here for a vertical format. Keep them coming
Good self critique. I'd simply crop a bit from the right and stay with the SQ as I like the end of the grass stem in the image. As folks might guess, I am fine with focusing on the eye and working wide open or close to it. Lightening the iris a bit would give the image a bit more life.
BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.
BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.
Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,
Song Sparrow
Reply With Quote
