Little Cormorant

[sree.kumar.h]

Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger)

My first attempt in putting Artie's guidelines in practice after having received my copy of the reprinted version of "The Art of Bird Photography".

I think I screwed up on the exposure compensation bit. Feel the head is not in sharp focus when compared to the feathers.

Cloned out distracting bare branches front of the bird.

Captured using Sigma 150-500m f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens and the EOS-400D on a Manfrotto Tripod. ISO 400. @500mm. Evaluative metering -2/3: 1/1250sec at f/8.0.

Artie, Thank You for giving us this wonderful book. Your book has provided me with a new perspective to Bird photography.

Comments, Criticism all welcome.
Thanks
Sree

[Subharghya]

You got this black bird in a very interesting setting ... I kind of like it Sree ... it's pity that the cam focused on the shoulder and so you get this soft eye .. the exposure looks correct on my screen .. the sharpness of the perch suddenly stops at one point near the bottom which looks a bit un-natural to me .. I feel you can apply a good dose of selective sharpening to the eye and also take care of the perch and put a repost if you like

[Doug Brown]

I like the pose and BG. Your point of focus is on the wing, not the eye; I like to focus on the eye and recompose. You probably could have gone another 1/3 of a stop to the right on your exposure. I would remove the strong shadows on the perch.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hi Sree,
Agree with Doug on this one.....maybe just a hair more of a turn to the head also.

[Fabs Forns]

The colors in this are beautiful, and, as mentioned, a bit of a head turn would have helped.
You could move the focus point and place in the head the next time, to ensure critical sharpness where you want it. If you don't, focus will go to the area of most contrast.
Composition looks good to me, and will be looking forward to seeing more from you!

[Phil Ertel]

Good comments above. The composition works for me. I also like the background. Thanks for sharing.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

HI Sree
That's the book that inspired me! A great read over and over. Don't put it down mate.
Points have been covered. I also feel it is a little centered. But nice attempt and I look forward to seeing more from you also! :)

[Harshad Barve]

All points well said here
TFS

[Stu Bowie]

Super comp, and excellent exposure on the blacks. I like the light and colours in this, and agree a little selective sharpening will work.

[Mital Patel]

this is just wonderful capture sree.. i would move the bird more on left .. just a suggestion.

[sree.kumar.h]

Thanks all for your comments. After reading your suggestion I did try selective sharpening. The out come was not to my liking. I will try it aging. Looks like it needs a bit of practice :).

In this case do I sharpen only the head (neck above) or the complete bird?

Thanks
Sree