Quizzical Kite

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

Captured with Canon EOS 30D, 1/2000 sec, f/4.5 using 300mm F/4 L IS, ISO 200, Pattern Metering, AP, 0 step

[Aidan Briggs]

Nice light, and inquisitive pose, but unfortunately there are a few problems with this image, the most noticeable being the softness. The whole bird look slightly OOF, maybe this was a large crop? Also the dead branches are distracting IMO, and the sky color looks a little funky when compared to the sky color in between the branches. As the bird is rather centered, I would give it some more room in front. That will also help get this image out of its square crop.

Keep working at it, and I'm looking forward to more.

[Fabs Forns]

Aidan nailed the critique, Christopher, I'll add that the back look is nice.

[Erich Stevens]

Christopher,

Obviously the best thing about this image is that over-the-shoulder look with the big red inquisitive eyes. Love that! Aiden made the points that needed to be made, to which I'll add your angle to the bird was too low. I know it's not easy to get eye level every time, but that why we keep shooting, right? Bring us more of this amazing species!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

The pose and eye contact are great, I would sharpen the bird more if it is not a heavy crop.

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

Thanks folks once again you have been a great help.:)

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Hi Chris
How much of a crop is this? Can you perhaps post the original? Thanks mate. Hope you are well down there in Mexico. :D :D :D

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

I tried some cloning and using smart sharpen but I find the image looks harsh.

[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Chris/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png[/IMG]