Firstly - what a great site!
Thanks to Daniel Cadeaux (moderator) for bringing it to my attention when I bumped into him in the field last fall. I've been reading the critiques, and occasionally trying to give my 2 cents when I think I can help. I've learnt so much from reading the critiques and the educational resources over the past little while, that I figure its time to post some pics of my own.
I took this siskin shot a couple weeks ago. I have shots from the front of this individual also, but thought this pose was a little more interesting. Perhaps a larger depth of field would've been nice to preserve more detail on the back.
Nikon D90; 300mm f/4 + 1.4X TC. I cloned out a branch above him, noise reduction on BG, slight sharpening.
Very nice Graham. Good exposure and details. Might just crop a bit from the top and would look better if the HA (code for head angle) were more towards us. Welcome to BPN and looking forward to seeing more of your posts!!!
I agree with Jackie completely. Ruminating aloud again here so bear with me ... There are times where I really love the head position when a bird is looking away, but usually it only seems to be very effective to me when there is something in the background to which it could be making eye contact with (which the viewer could also see), or when it was a tighter composition to the head.
Oh, and the DOF looks just fine to me!
Last edited by KurtPreston; 02-19-2009 at 08:47 PM.
Reason: Addition
I like it a lot This is different in many ways and will bring many different comments. Interesting images tend to do so :)
I'm fine with the head angle since the bird is intently looking at something .. has its undivided attention. Do like the back side pose very much, also agree dof is just fine. Would suggest a different crop, would like the image a little tighter and the bird more to a corner. Perch is sort of neat so I chose taking from the top. Really no right or wrong on this one !!! Just cropped but no other changes
Hi Graham - welcome to the BPN family - nice first post. Al's crop nails it for me - you have good exposure and sharp details - looking forward to seeing more :)
Hi Graham,
A big welcome to the BPN family...I like your image and capture...you have good sharp details...good color rendition...the back pose is very nice...the head angle and eye contact, work well in this particular photo, because your subject is looking at something that caught his undivided attention...:) the unconventional perch and the soft earth tone hues of the background compliment your subject very nicely...Mr. Forns' repost with the tighter crop puts your capture over the top...congrats on a job well done...looking forward to your next one...:cool:
Thanks for your comments and kind words!
I do like Alfred's re-crop much more. I selected my crop early on, before I removed a branch above him. Perhaps the raw image layout is why I chose that crop. I probably should've stepped back and re-assessed it once I cleaned it up.
One of the great things about an image of a siskin facing away from the camera is the outlined wing feathers that are so photogenic; and you've caught this perfectly. Like the bird and agree with the comments of others.
Did you notice that your siskin's tail has disappeared (sort of)?
Welcome
Gail
Hi Graham, I'm a bit late to the party here...It was nice to bump into this morning. Glad you decided to join the BPN community, the perfect place to learn...welcome aboard! :-)
Nice first post. I personally prefer better head angle, but I can see the point made Al and Gus. I'm fine with the DOF on the back - the eye and face are sharp and that's what counts. Image quality and finish look great. Hoping to see some more from you.
Welcome Graham, Nice first post agree w/ techs above-just love the exposure on this and the details are good-Perch is the right size for this bird-Alfred's re-post is great!
Siskin back - first post
