This Brown-headed Nuthatch was a new species for me, since they don't commonly live in New Jersey. I was thrilled to see him for a few minutes flitting around this Crepe Myrtle tree in Virginia, and fired off 70 frames. I know one should strive for perfect HA and body position, but none of my shots had both. This one has pretty good HA, but the second image shows the body better. Which one do viewers find more appealing? Thanks for your comments.
Here's another view, showing the body better than the first, but might incur a visit from the HAP. Also note that I tweaked the color balance a bit here. Which is more appealing? Thanks.
i prefer the first myself with maybe a small crop off the top and some of the left. this is what those birds do. it's tough to get them in any other position. i think you did well. i like it!!
Agree with Harold on this one It is a tough call but like the first, not only from the ha point of view but just the overall feel of the image!!! Head angle as we can said is important but I feel sometimes you can get away with it (not often) all area little different !!! Good tech settings !!!
Hi Bill, After going back and forth around 5 times I agree with the others on preferring the first image. Seems to be more contrast in the first as opposed to a warm tone throughout. Also in the first the HA is a bit more towards the viewer. Not an easy subject to capture...
Thanks all. 3 for 3 clinches it. I was leaning in that direction because the first seems to have more direct contact with the viewer; I just wish I had gotten the whole bird in focus. I thought about pasting the head of the first onto the body of the second, but don't think I could get away with it. I appreciate the comments.
Hi Bill - i prefer the first for the HA - but the PP seems to be better in the second , colours are better and the first just seems to have a harsh feel to it.
Just IMHO :)
Thank you all for the helpful comments and opinions. We've had a rainy day today, and I had an hour to spare, so I decided to try an experiment. I've merged the positive head position from the first, into the body and bg of the second (with some mid-way compromise of the bg color). I know this goes against Lance's sound philosophy of getting the image right in the camera and then keeping the PP work to a minimum, but I thought it might make a useful learning exercise. If this thread is not dead by now, I'd be interested in knowing how I did. Thanks.
Help: Head angle vs body position?
