Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

[Lorant Voros]

Another new species for me found in Mexico DF. This little bird whops from one place to another so fast I can hardly manage to focus on him. I used flash, however I miss the catchlight; I didn't want to add any fake one with PS. Thanks for looking.

1DMKIII
500mm +1.4 TC
ISO800
f:8
1/300
Flash + BB

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Good soft light, BG and sharpness. I know what you mean, these guys hardly ever sit still for a moment. I wish there were a bit more eye contact and find the bright spot in the lower right a bit distracting.

[Tony Whitehead]

Fasting moving little birds are a challenge. You've done well with the focus and lighting. The absent catchlight seems due of the fact that you are looking down on the top of the bird and no part of the eye is parallel to the imaging plane to reflect a catchlight back so I agree a fake one would look very fake.

[Connie Mier]

Given the difficulty in capturing the bird I think you did a great job, bird is tack sharp. Just a few distractions in the photo which could be dealt with somewhat.

[Lorant Voros]

Thanks for the critics.

Axel, I tried to select the bright spot and with replace color make it a bit more grey, but I didn't like the result. Cloning would be a bit tricky IMO...how would you fix it?

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Thanks for the critics.

Axel, I tried to select the bright spot and with replace color make it a bit more grey, but I didn't like the result. Cloning would be a bit tricky IMO...how would you fix it?

Lorant, I might try to remove the two leaves under the bird and would clone out the bright spot then, replacing it with part of the plant in the BG.

[Aidan Briggs]

Nice BG, soft light, and exposure. Agree with the above comments. That bright spot is going to be tough to lose.

[Harshad Barve]

nice expo , sharpness and BG ,
loosing that bright spot will be a tough job
TFS

[Kiran Poonacha]

Congrats on the nice addition to your list brother...

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Hi brother!
I like the image very much with beautiful BG and colors. The only two things I wish for are better eye contact and fixing the OOF bright patch in the LRC. :) Well done!