Grey heron: sorry about the background

[Ben_Sadd]

Things have been rather slow, but I thought I would post an image anyway. I am not happy about the background here, but would welcome any input on it. Should I clean it up, what should I clean up, or should I just bin the image?

Thanks.

7D
500mm
Av +1.33
f/5.6
1/40
ISO 1600

[Randy Stout]

Ben:

I think it is an interesting image because of the snow and low angle on bird.
I would try to clean up a few of the fine brown twigs over the birds head, and the large dark horizontal branch to the right of the neck in the background, and see what you think.

Cheers

Randy

[Daniel Cadieux]

Ben, there is one thing that struck me with this image...even more than the busy BG. That is the size of the pupil relative to the brightness of the scene. I thought to myself that it must have been pretty dark out for such an open pupil...and low and behold the techs tell me just that...

Other than that I'd try Randy's suggestions and see if the result is better for you. I also wouldn't mind a bit more room top and bottom.

[Ben_Sadd]

Thanks. These were the places that I was considering doing a little gardening.

Yes Daniel, it was rather dreary. At the moment I take all the opportunities I can get. On this morning I had set myself out before sunrise close to this small patch of unfrozen water. This was as bright as the light got all morning. I packed up when it deteriorated even more, because while the water remained unfrozen I didn't! Would you prefer the brightness of the image to match the pupil size? I didn't actually alter much concerning brightness out of the camera.

This is almost FF, but have a slither that I could add to the top.

[Dave Leroy]

I think it is a fine image. It does show what a tough life these birds have. I also enjoy habitat shots.

Another suggestion to removing the bits and pieces might be to try a bit of blur.

The GBH does stand out nicely from the bg as is.

If mine I might just try and round out the eye a bit.

Pretty impressive at 1/60 and 1600ISO.

I really like the nice low angle.

Dave

[Ben_Sadd]

Dave, with round out the eye, do you mean reduce the pupil?

[Dave Leroy]

Just at the right side of the eye, it looks like the membrane is partly closed or because the bird is looking forward part of the iris and pupil are nicked off.

It is a small nit, but I thought it may look a bit better if at least the pupil was rounded off.

You will have a better idea when magnifying the photo.

Dave

[Peter Farrell]

I really like this one Ben. At first glance I would't change the BG at at all. After looking for awhile I thought that maybe toning down the brightness of the snow would help. I guess this could be in part what Daniel is talking about.
Peter

[Paul Guris]

I like the background as part of the whole scene. It gives the feeling that the bird is tucked into a corner and trying to keep warm. If you take out some branches, don't prune too hard.

[Dick Beery]

Very nice shot, I would agree with comment on toning down the snow and background