Long-billed Curlew

[Lana Hays]

I photographed this one this morning. I've been in a photo funk and when I get out, it seems like the "same old birds in the same old settings" so I'm trying to look for different things. I can't decide whether I like this one....or hate it. I did no blurring on the BG.....only selected the bird and did a little sharpening. There was a small crop...just enough to improve the composition. I'm headed back out so I'll be posting some comments tonight.

Canon 1DMkIV, 500mmL IS, 2X TC, tripod, Wimberley head
ISO 400, f/10, ss 1/1000
DPP raw conversion, slight crop for composition, sharpened only the bird, no blurring on the BG

[Myer Bornstein]

The bird is sharp, I like the BG having troble with the OOF FG cannot decide if I like it

[Clemens Vanderwerf]

I like how the foreground blur continues into the background blur. Makes the subject pop out very nicely. Some of the whites on the birds belly seem a little hard.

[Jim Neely]

I like your low angle, sharp bird and composition.

jn

[Aiden Blake]

I think you nailed every aspect of this shot perfectly. The composition and pose are wonderful, and the exposure is excellent.

My only crit is I think it needs a bit more contrast and saturation.

[Ed Schneider]

Very nice, a species I've not had a crack at (yet!). Normally I would like better head angle (towards the viewer), but this seems to work here. I do find the foreground OOF a little distracting. TFS!

[Fabs Forns]

I love both the fore and backgrounds. Lots of depth and also like the concentration look of the Curlew. I see he's been busy judging by the bill :)
This one is definitively not "same old picture". If you decide you hate it, you know my e-mail ;)

[Ray Rozema]

the low angle is great. good detail I wish the foreground was not covering the tail.

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Beautifully captured Lana and I too love the whole composition. Both FG and the BG are really very artistic looking, Like a painting and I love the cautious look on the curlews face. Fine work !!!!

[Katie Rupp]

Lana, this has a very special feel to it and I really like it. It reminds me of those times when you feel "one with yourself" and the rest of the world fades into the background. The juxtaposition of the sharp subject to the OOF FG and BG, along with the turned-away look is, for me, how that emotion is achieved. So glad you posted it!

[Daniel Cadieux]

I love the composition, and both the BG and FGs! For me, however, a better HA would be in order. I'd still love this in my files.

[RAM MALLYA]

Lovely compo and sharpness of the bird

[christopher galeski]

Lana,this is a very nice shot,nice blurred bg and fg,as somebody else said,makes the bird pop,looks like the bird is having a thinking moment.thanks.