Just switched cameras from Pentax to Canon so trying to get used to the new camera. I picked up a used 40D and 70-200mm f4 non IS lens. So I have been taking my camera to work with me. This little guy flew into the tree just outside our Pro Shop. I had to take it threw the window he was so close I was afraid he would fly away if I opened the door.
Taken with 40D 70-200mm f5.6 ss1/125 iso400 hand held.
Cropped and some clone work to eliminate bright spots from background.
Bob, congrats on the new camera/lens combo. I have the same set up. Wait until you see the beautiful bokeh you can get with that 70-200! That baby is one great lens even without IS.
This image is a bit underexposed. If you open a levels adjustment you'll see that there is very little data on the right hand side and, although there aren't a lot of whites in the image, moving the white slider in to the left and bringing the midtone slider in to the left as well will open up a bit more brightness to the photo. You might also try selecting the black eye and doing a curves adjustment to bring out the lighter tones and create a catch light so the viewer focuses on the bird's face. We love that eye contact!
You've got a very nice pose and it's relatively clean for shooting through glass. If you ever have a bright day and you're shooting through glass, try an exposure adjustment where you pull the exposure slider to the right just a tiny bit, the offset button a hair to the left and the gamma correction slider to the right and that will often cut back the glare from shooting through glass.
Bob, I like the pose and I like the way you framed it. Both reposts look over done to me. I would have bumped my ISO up. Bumping up the ISO would have given you more options. Good luck with the 40D-it's one of my favorite cameras
Nicely done Bob. You created something out of nothing in the sense that many would not consider shooting through a window. You did well in the processing but darkened a bit too much. A little bit brighter and a little more sharpening and you have a really nice image. Great BG by the way, and a good balance between the bird and the tree.
Red Bellied Woodpecker
