Posing Male Cardinal

[Steve Wasson]

Shot on another gray, snowy day in my backyard. Canon 7D, Sigma 150-500mm, 1/250, f/11 ISO320 @500mm, flash Canon 430EX II (-2) with Better Beamer. Shot RAW, processed through LR3, PS, slight crop.

[Tom Redd]

Steve, excellent exposure, very sharp, only wish the full tail were in the shot. Beautiful bird.

[Steve Wasson]

Thanks for the comment! I debated the tail issue... I did zoom out for several subsequent shots, but just didn't care for them as much!

[carole wiley]

I have to agree, such beautiful exposure and nice and sharp, but I really need the whole tail.

[Julie Kenward]

I'm with the others on the tail. What we usually look for, Steve, is either the whole bird OR a tight crop of the head and shoulders. You've got a very tight crop for a full portrait as it feels cramped both at the top and bottom and then it's missing the tail on the left.

Although you did a good job of DOF and ss, I find the angle of the bird a little odd, too - I keep wanting him to straighten up! If you've got others from this shoot I'd love to see another. The colors are beautiful and the details are all there - I just don't think the crop and pose are maximizing your good photography skills here.

[Ray Rozema]

great detail and color Good eye contact. Impressive that can see detail in the snow I am glad Julie mentioned the posture I find it a little disconcerting but it does add an unusual aspect.

TFS