Red and Yellow Barbet

[John Lowin]

Image created in Samburu, Kenya. We had observed several of these Red and Yellow Barbets earlier in the day, as they ducked in and out of their nest holes in old worn-down termite mounds. It wasn't until late in the day that I found this single subject in the sweet light. The perch isn't beautiful, but I think the bird is. I hope you like my image. Comments and Critique welcome, I'm here to learn. - John

f/8 1/500 ISO 400 @ 1000mm
Canon 1D Mk II
Canon EF 500mm 1:4 L IS USM
Canon Extender 2X II
Kenisis Safari Sack (Bean Bag)

[Stephen Stephen]

John nice colourful bird that I've never see a photo of before. I do agree that you had great light and I don't mind the perch. A better head turn angle would have given you some eye contact. Thanks for sharing.

[John Lowin]

Stephen, This version has more eye contact, but I prefer the first one. What do you think? _ John

[Randy Stout]

John:

I like them both. Particularly on the 1st one, I would be tempted to darken the bright area of the perch so it doesn't compete with the bird so much. I like the overall feel of the first image more, but the head angle is a few degrees away from the plane of the camera, as Stephen pointed out.

Fun to see a new bird.

Randy

[Mike Milicia]

A beautiful bird, indeed.
Agree with Stephen about head angle.
Perch itself is not so bad but wish it weren't obstructing the feet and right leg.

[John Lowin]

Thank you both for your comments. - John

[Daniel Cadieux]

Oh man, that head angle is too bad. Having the face at least parallel to us would have made this image a winner. I don't mind the perch, and I love the web on it. I also think the sidelight worked well in this case. Exposure, sharpness, and colours look good. But again, head angle...

[Ramon M. Casares]

That second one is a winner!!! Great pose, atitude, detail, colors, pose, perch and BG. Congratulations!

[Chris van Rooyen]

Nice to see another African species:-) I like the original image, the side lighting is not overwhelming, and the head angle really does not bother me - the eye is very visible. I would suggest perhaps a tad more saturation and perhaps one more round of sharpening. Background is superb.

[John Lowin]

Nice to see another African species:-) I like the original image, the side lighting is not overwhelming, and the head angle really does not bother me - the eye is very visible. I would suggest perhaps a tad more saturation and perhaps one more round of sharpening. Background is superb.

Chris, I have taken several people's suggestions. I added some saturation, sharpened slightly more and darkened the bright area of the perch. Do you find this better? Thanks to all for their critiques! - John

[Juan Aragonés]

In this case, I do not mind about the head turn. The light is fantastic and I like the perch and BG. Both images great IMO.

[Chris van Rooyen]

John I love it now, the image is glowing..:-)

[John Lowin]

Thanks Chris, and thanks to all who took the time to look and comment! I couldn't have done it without all the help I've received here - John