Opinions Appreciated - Sandhill Crane Chick

[Marina Scarr]

Was lucky enough to photograph several SHC nests with chicks last Spring. This particular morning, the sun was hidden behind the trees and only peaked out for a brief moment...enough to light up the chicks face. Was looking for opinions on what everyone thought of this capture. I am on the fence at this time. Sometimes I look at it and really like it and other times I am simply not sure.

Canon 1D3, Canon 400 DO & 1.4 @ 560mm
F8, 1/500sec, ISO 400, manual mode
Hand held from down low & almost full frame

Your opinions would be much appreciated,

Marina

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

i really like the pose and the light!

[Stu Bowie]

Marina, the detail is there, and just love those tiny little wings. Comp works well, and would maybe just run some NR on the BG.

[Mike Tracy]

I like the comp I think. One part of me wishes it was looser as I would like to see a glimmer of what has caught his attention. On the other hand they way you have it framed leaves me wondering which is alluring itself.

I know you like au natural but find the little specks on his head slightly distracting.

[Mike Milicia]

I think it's definitely a keeper with a great pose, background, composition, and detail!

I have never seen a Sandhill chick so I may be off here but it seems to have a green/blue color cast and the image seems to be a bit dark. Here's a repost where I corrected the color balance to my eye and lightened the midtone considerably. See what you think ...

[Randy Stout]

Marina:

A keeper in my book, and I am pretty picky. The soft light really helped, and I like the feeling of this image with soft fuzzy chick and soft background.
I would probably shoot for a luminosity somewhere between the OP and Mike' repost. Bring up the body a bit, but keep a subtle spotlight effect.
I could see a sliver more space on the left, but am fine with it as is.

Cheers
Randhy

[Gal Shon]

What is there not to like? A lovely image with a super cute chick (especially those small wings).
Well photographed and composed. The spotlight affect on the head works very good.

[Bill Dix]

Certainly a keeper. Love the light and the chick. The tiny specks on the forehead could be removed, and some NR on the background. Otherwise a very nice image.

[stuart wanuck]

hey marina cute chick going to bosque at your suggestion stuart

[Doug Brown]

I think it's a definite keeper, and I agree with Randy about balancing out the luminosity. The eye-level view creates a real sense of intimacy.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Definite keeper in my book. Love the light, the pose and the super cute model.
Would do a round of NR on the bg.
Lovely image. Thanks for sharing.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Like the comp lots and the angle of view too. NR is agreed. Overall very nicely done Marina! :)

[Gary Jones]

Great BG and detail on the bird, with a good HA. Ditto Stu on the NR in the BG. Works well for me - definately a keeper.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Marina, other that the noise in the BG, nothing else bothers me. Nice tight shot and liked the inclusion of those tiny wings. Terrific sharpness.

[Marina Scarr]

Thanks to all who contributed ideas, comments, critiques and reposts. It is a big help, and I guess this is a keeper. This capture is so different from most of my pictures, I simply wasn't sure how it would go over.

Now that I see the repost, I agree on upping the luminosity, but not quite as much as in Mike's repost. I think this is almost full frame, so can't recrop. Will definitely do another round of NR.

Thank you again. Marina

[Arthur Morris]

Love the spotlit face and the perfect image design. Yes to a bit of a green cast; something between the original post and Mike's repost would work.