Bee Eater perched

[Diego Torrentes]

Hi everybody:

I took this image this morning, I hope you like it. Critiques are welcome and highly appreciated.

Thanks.

PENTAX K10D
DA* 300mm
F4
1/4000 sec
ISO400
1024 pixel height crop

[Dave Mills]

Hi Diego, nice over the shoulder HA along with even lighting. The image is well exposed and fairly sharp. IMO whats hurting the image is the perch. The 2 vert sticks is a bit distracting with one of the sticks casting a shadow over the birds back dividing the subject. I would have given more room on the rt and removed the diagonal branch on the bottom... At 1/4000 sec you certainly had the ability to shoot the subject at F8 and maintained speed. The head would have been sharper...

[Diego Torrentes]

Thanks D
Neither my angle was the best nor my F number because this was a unexpected image. In fact, I was looking for bee eaters in flight an suddenly this appeared and perched on a ferula at about 8 meters in front of me. I shot without change any setting. I think you're right and I must remove the branch on the bottom and give more room on the right. With regard to the dividing shadow I don't know how can I repare this.
BTW D stands for David, isn't?

[Lance Peters]

Hi Diego - Dave pretty much hit the nail on the head - find it a little bit tight all around also - especially the bottom.

Same careful quick masks will help you remove the shadow - do like the pose.
:)

[Diego Torrentes]

Thank you for your feedback Lance, I see now clearly that I cropped the image too much. I'll try also to mask the shadows.

[Dave Mills]

Hi Diego, Yes it's David. When I first arrived on the site I signed in that way and it's stayed like that since...

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Diego Agree with comments !!! Shadow wise it is possible to remove as Lance mentioned, would give it a try as a PS workout, you always learn from the adventure !!! ... btw at the time of making the image getting on sun angle would prevent the shadow, one of the reason we try to do so !! .. I now its not always possible to move into that position !!!