I just found the site and thought I'd get some honest input of a recent shot I really like. I need something more than the typical "nice shot" you get at many sites. Anyway, the image was taken with a Canon 5D using a Nikon 800/5.6 adapted to the body. The lens was rested on window frame of my truck and quickly focused. The Kestrel was right probably no more than 10 yards away. The shutter speed was 1/800 and I think the aperture was f/5.6 but I'm not certain. ISO 400 and shooting in AV mode with + 1 1/3 exposure compensation. The truck was idling during this shot as I really thought the Kestrel would fly off. Managed a half dozen shots before it did. Temps in the 20s and overcast skies. Love to hear comments on how to improve this, thanks!
Welcome to BPN! You have a great pose here with some nice feather detail. The catchlight really draws my eye and the wooden post compliments the bird. I would suggest adding some more canvas at the top and right to give the bird a little "breathing room". Using fill flash here would have opened up some of the shadows caused by the sidelight. Overall, well done. Looking forward to more posts.
James. I think you have a beautiful image here. I agree with Joel about adding a bit more on top and on the right. You generally want more room in the direction the bird is facing.
I agree with what Joel has said. I also might lasso the bird and log and run noise reduction on the BG to make it buttery smooth.
I want to say that you have the right mentality to be on this forum, its about honest CC that makes us all better. :)
Big welcome to BPN. Great critique from Joel and some great suggestions. Really love the eye contact and detail in this capture. Look forward to seeing more. Thanks for sharing.
Certainly a nice shot, definitely more headroom at the top, bit at the right, try to even out the bg colours by elminating the URC white area, eliminating dark spot right side lower area, tray sharpening the head a touch and agree to put some NR on the bg to add smoothness. Not sure about colour balance, but I'm sure you may get some advice on that too.
Lovely light, pose and BG, good level of detail and colors, IMO the problem here is the almost square format that doesn´t leaves the bird much room arround, I would try a differen crop. Congratualitons and welcome!
Thanks to all for their comments. I will apply the suggestions this weekend and see what I can do with my meager PP skils. Sorry I did not respond back sooner but I shoot a tone of eagle shots yesterday in poor light and I've been trying to see what I can get out of the ISO 1600 and 1000 shots. Once again, thanks!
Perched Kestrel
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