Potoo

[Cal Walters]

First posting - hope I got it all right on sizing, etc.:D

the shot details:
Canon 50D
100-400 lens @ 235mm
ISO 250
f/5.6
1/125 sec
+1/3 compensation

Only a tiny bit of sharpening in Photoshop. Had just read Arts comments on rule of 1/3's and exposure compensation in BPA #2 - trying to keep so many things in my mind while on a canoe in Ecuador. Fortunately the subject did not seemed phased. I tend to prefer a little more realism in backgrounds - but don't know if the dark spots on the leaf distracting? Would you modify any other way?

[Tony Whitehead]

Congratulations on your first image post, Cal. Lovely soft light and I like the textures on the perch and plumage. Looks like a close relative of Australian Frogmouths. Exposure looks good and focus fine. I don't mind the darker spots on the leaves. My preference would have been to frame the bird more to the left to decentre it in the frame. This image really illustrates the excellent camouflage. Looking forward to more of your photos.

[Thomas Finnie]

You forgot the bird! What an unusual species of bird. The camouflage is impeccable. Nice detail and great capture with such a different bird.

Where did you find Arts exposure compensation article?

Thanks for sharing,
Tom

[Daniel Cadieux]

Wow, talk about camo...it really looks like an extention to the branch! I love the leaves jotting up from the bottom. I don't mind the darker branches above, but maybe lightening them a wee bit would work better. I agree with Tony about framing of the bird. Although focus looks spot-on, as posted the image could use an additional round of sharpening.

Very nice first image post - hoping to see some more!!

[Harshad Barve]

what a camo , nice compo and exposure, can take some sharpning
TFS

[Cal Walters]

Quote" Where did you find Arts exposure compensation article?"

It was in Birds as Art #2 on the CD ROM.

[Cal Walters]

Although focus looks spot-on, as posted the image could use an additional round of sharpening.

What specifically does one look at to know it needs more sharpening - versus focus?

[Cal Walters]

I had an alternate shot that allowed me to crop the bird a little to the left, add some sharpness and saturation. Not sure the background works as well though.

[Lorant Voros]

Welcome; nice first post. This bird is incredible. He can still see you with his sensitive eye through the sluts on the eye lid.

I would prefer the first post re-cropped with the bird in the left side. The BG looks less busy. I am looking forward to see your future images.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I prefer the muted colours and BG of the original - too bad you an't get the best of both worlds into one :-)

Cal, what I meant previously is that the image is obviously focussed correctly on the bird and perch, but is lacking in fine detail and "crispness"...this is usually due to resizing for web - hence the need for more sharpening after resizing has been done.

[Kiran Poonacha]

I like the OP better, the RP looks a bit over done, looks like a hermit i meditation.. nice details and the surrounding adds well, congrats...

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Cool find, the camouflage is amazing. I liked the BG in the original post better and the crop in the repost.

[paul leverington]

I had to open this because looking at the thumbnail I could not see any bird! Wouldn't this look good with a very deliberate detailed background? Adding more to the fact he is camoflaged in a maze of objects. I think it could be cool. Wonderful shot of this remarkable bird.

Paul