Backyard setup after a thunderstorm, I wonder if this guy is molting?
Canon EOS 40D
300mm 2.8L + 1.4 TC II
Tripod
1/200
f/4
iso 320
metering: partial
fill flash 430 ex at 1/8 manual
Joel,
I like this image. I like the bedraggled look of the cardinal, the BG & the "V" formed by the perch & the cardinal. The vertical presentation is nice, but maybe more room on the RHS.
Andrew
Hey Joel, I also like this image. Catching him with wet feathers really adds a different twist to this beautiful bird. You've got a nice catch light in his eyes and I love the upright crest as well. The top of his beak looks a tiny bit washed out. You might grab a sample of the surrounding area on the beak and then use the brush tool to lightly paint over the brighter area at 20-30% opacity to bring down the shine just a little.
I think taking a bit off the left side and adding it to the right would also be a good idea. This naturally lends itself to a vertical presentation but giving him a little more area on the side where he is pointed and less on the side away from his attention always lends a nicer end result. The "V" of the perch to the left and his head to the right really leads the viewer's eye through the image...nicely done!
Hi Joel. Nice setup, pose, exposure and detail. Is the lovely background natural or part of the setup? Some good advice above re the crop and the bright beak. It looks like he's molting. I have some very bedraggled Cardinals around my feeder this time of year.
Hi Joel - agree with the above comments - good advice.
Would also evict the black rectangle from the top RHC.
Red against the dark green sets it off nicely.
Keep em coming :)
Ugly Wet Cardinal
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