Chalk-browed Mockingbirds

[Patricio Murphy]

My eyesight is getting somewhat rusty when it comes to manually focus my good ol' Nikkor 400mm f/3.5, so I bought an AF Sigma 400mm f/5.6. While the AF is quite slow, if I prefocus it works and I'm quite impressed with the image quality, considering how cheap you can get one.
This shot was done in less than ideal lightning conditions, but the action between the two kind of compensates for it to my eyes. think I should sharpen it a little bit more, and I'm not happy with the processing either, so I would love to hear oppinions and ideas on the matter!




Nikon D200, ISO400, 1/750, f/8
Sigma 400mm f/5.6 APO Macro

[Dave Blinder]

Patricio, very cool behavioral shot. I like the comp and eye contact. I might consider increasing the contrast or levels.

Congrats on the new lens too.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the behavior, composition and BG and wish there were more eye contact.

[Tony Whitehead]

Nice behaviour and comp, Patricio. You asked for some processing suggestions so here's my 2c. The birds look underexposed and some +EC at capture would have helped but would have lost the nice sky BG. I have increased the contrast and saturation in the sky to increase the impact of that while dodging the birds to brighten them up. UNfortunately working on the small jpg file this has caused a lot of posterisation and there is significant jpg artifact but it gives the idea.

[Patricio Murphy]

Thanks everyone!
Tony, I'll try to work on the original following your idea, thanks!