Oystercatcher Resting

[denise ippolito]

Canon 40D
500 mm +1.4 ex.
1/1000 sec. at f/7.1
ISO 400
Tripod
BG is Ocean
Catchlight is natural
Sandy Hook-late morning 8:38 AM
Middle of Sept.

[Bryan Holliday]

Hi Denise - I love your background and the pose is very peaceful. Is it possible to add a little canvas to the left of the bird? Also looks like the bird could be sharpened a little more. Maybe lightened a little overall too? Are you near Cape May?

[denise ippolito]

Bryan, I am a couple of hours away from Cape May.

Here is a repost a bit lighter, canvas added and a touch more sharpening. Thankyou for your comments and your help. I appreciate them.

[Fabs Forns]

I like the original as posted, composition was great, I see no need to add canvas since the bird is facing the right.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

One more winner!

Denise's style. Love bird and keen composition. I also do not see the need for more room on left but that's just my taste. I would tone down the legs just a bit and would sharpen the body a tad. Love the BG also.

[Harshad Barve]

Hi Denise
Another beauty here , My choice is OP
TFS

[Danny J Brown]

Hi Denise: This image has a great look with the low angle, cool pose and extraordinary background color. I like its eyes and the little sliver of beak that is showing from under its feathers. Good job on the whites, as well. Nice.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Nice peaceful image. I like the original comp better too. I'm trying to understand what going on in the sand (strips going in and out of focus...)

[Bryan Holliday]

I like your repost Denise. I agree with everyone that the bird should be toward the left edge, it was just slightly uncomfortably close for me.

[Stu Bowie]

Denise, your OP worked just fine. Lovely lazy pose, and you got the exposure spot on. I would maybe sharpen the OC a tad more.

[denise ippolito]

Thankyou all for the comments. I appreciate them. I will give another round of sharpening.
Daniel, I added the small strip of sand at the bottom to add depth to the image-but it could easily be removed.

[Kiran Poonacha]

Sweet light here, loved the pose too, the angle make this for Me. congrats..

[James Salywoda]

That background is so beautiful and the Oystercatcher really looks great against it Denise. Excellent Shot!

[Daniel Cadieux]

Daniel, I added the small strip of sand at the bottom to add depth to the image-but it could easily be removed.

Thanks for clarifying. The issue I see is that the bands in the sand shouldn't be weaving OOF, then in focus, then OOF again as they approaches the oystercatcher. I think its the middle "in focus" band that is throwing me off - is that the one you added? Hope my explanation isn't too confusing:)

[denise ippolito]

Daniel, Yes, That is the one I added.

[Michael Zajac]

Denise, Your OP looks great. I wouldn't change a thing. Beautiful blue colored BG and nice feather details.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Daniel, Yes, That is the one I added.

Ah, that's what I thought - and that explains my concern. That middle, in-focus, bar in the sand plays tricks with the mind as you cannot physically have two different (independant) depths in the image that are in focus.:)

[denise ippolito]

Here it is removed

[Danny Laredo]

Nice looking image Denise. Sweet pose BG and detail.

[denise ippolito]

Danny, Thankyou very much. I appreciate it.