"Daddy Long Legs"

[Don Hamilton Jr.]

Should have used a lower F-stop,Dang-it. Bkg, has me concerned... Okay, this is my first attempt at blurring bkg.
Thks for looking.
Canon 7D
500mm
F-8
1/800s
ISO 320
Spot meter

[Fabs Forns]

Don, the BG is so close to the bird, that even f/2.8 wouldn't have helped.
Nice wing stretch, but harsh light coupled with busy BG doesn't make it one of your best.

[Joe Senzatimore]

Fabs got it covered very well. Still a great subject.

[Don Hamilton Jr.]

aHHH... yes you are right, man i'm learning everyday! Thks Fabs, and Joe!

[Mike Tracy]

There are inherent problems that no amount of processing will turn a so so shot into a great one. As Fabs mentioned your back ground was too close to your subject to create a smooth "canvas". To improve this particular image though try masking the bird and adding a few points to the blacks and neutrals in selective color. This will help him pop a tad more. Select inverse and then decrease the saturation of the yellows and greens of the foliage which are way too prominent. Then take the blur tool and go over the areas you want to smooth.

Nice pose and you did good exposing the blacks and whites under the bright sun.

[Steve Maxson]

I like the pose Don, but agree with the others about the harsh light and the background. Mike has some good ideas above.

[Don Hamilton Jr.]

Excellent stuuf, gang, as a newbie , CS4 has a major learning curve :confused:! Little by little, bottom, line a lot of tips, too better shoot next time, really appreciate all of your time here, this is how one learns!!!
Don