Cropping in on the Subject

[Mark Theriot]

Hi,
I stumbled upon a pair of doves and was able to get several shots before they flew the coop. I think I could have gotten acceptable composition with both of them but the DOF was very shallow and only the female was in good focus. To save the image, I cropped fairly tightly on her, but it's literally only a 1/4 of the full image. I'd welcome general critique (composition, color, etc) but would also like opinions on how much cropping is too much?

400mm @ F/6.7 and shutter at 1/90 (tripod shot)

[Mark Theriot]

For Comparison - Original Image W/No Processing

Edit: Looks like a posted up a different snap in the series (sorry) but the effect was the same, one bird in focus.

[Harold Davis]

mark, it held up nicely to the crop. i would add a little back down below (the perch is touching the frame edge) and crop a little off the right to move the bird out of the center. i'd also add some more up top.

colorwise, not bad. might boost the midtone contrast.

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Mark These type are tough since you need to stop down which will bring the bg more into play.

If possible would have tried moving in slowly to isolate one bird.... I'm sure will miss a bunch but the ones that stay will be keepers !!!

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Mark,
You did very well in isolating your Dove...agree with Doctor Davis' assessment...I like it...looking forward to your next one...:cool:

[Mark Theriot]

Thanks everyone, this is really helping.
Harold, it's funny how things stick out like a sore thumb once it's pointed out to you! Yea, that branch on the bottom is bugging me now and it looks like she's "ducking" down because there is no head room!

Alfred, yep - I tried to get a little closer . . . but I need to work a little on my stalking skills - not very good there yet!

Mark

[Kerry Perkins]

Hello Mark, does feel a bit cramped - I would probably crop something like this to give her a little headroom.

Like the colors and detail of your bird. Look forward to more!

[Lance Peters]

Hi Mark - feels a little tight to me - even kerry's repost feels like it needs a bit more room all around.
Practise that stalking :)

[Debbie Barnes]

I would have tried a more vertical crop with this to give the dove more room. But I love the sharpness and color.

[Mark Theriot]

Hi Lance and Debbie, I agree with your assessment - here's another shot at a better crop.

Mark

[Christopher Miller]

Mark, The second crop does looks better, though personally I think the original crop isn't half bad. I might be tempted to remove the twigs in the ULC. Good job saving the photo.