Snow Bunting
I took this one a couple days ago on a local ferry terminal causeway. Each year there are a couple Buntings which winter over on the causeway. This year may only have one visitor.
The bird was walking around me quite quickly so shot photo was relevelled and cropped a bit to remove a bit of space from top and right.
I also left a few more visible rain drops.
7D, 500mm f/4, 1/250, ISO800.
I also cleaned up the bill quite a bit as the little fellow (as I was told by a birder) was feeding.
Dave
Very nice feather detail, composition, postioning, lighting and exposure. I don't see any raindrops, and unless it is obvious that it is raining, which seems to add atmosphere to an image, I'd get rid of what usually appears as streaks with the spot removal tool in ACR
The OOF foreground is a problem though (IMO), and generally with enough space cropping can remove it, but not in this case. Increasing DOF during capture, being aware an in-focus foreground is often an asset, is something to consider next time. Good job. Regards~Bill
A great image, Dave, and for the reasons Bill already mentioned.
But dare I say that I disagree with him about the OOF foreground? I LOVE these eye level photographs and to see that narrow in-focus strip with the bird in the exact right spot is simply wonderful. If you were to crop out that OOF foreground, then it seems to me that you loose one of the strenghts of the 500mm. I think it's lovely.
Dave, what a beauty! I don't know that I've ever seen one of these before. You've got a very nice pose, HA, and detail going here. I do find the whites of the bird kind of merging with the BG a bit, though. I opened the image and darkened the BG and added just a touch more blue to it to help create a little more separation. I also did a slight curves adjustment to the eye as there was a nice light area at the top that I thought could be brought out a bit more.
As for the OOF BG, I don't mind it but...with the strip of super sharp in the center beneath his feet it does seem a bit odd. I'd either blur the area around his feet a bit so the transition is not quite so evident. A few quick passes with the blur tool and it blends a bit better. These are all just suggestions...do what you feel is best for the image.
Repost
I took a bit of time to make a few adjustments.
There is not much that can be done about that bit of oof strip at front. It is sort of a function of the shooting angle. At f8 the dof would have been .14 feet versus .07 feet at f/4 so not much change.
A higher angle would help but interferes with bg intersecting bird profile.
I did crop as much out as i thought practical after relevelling photo. I relevelled this time on the in focus strip rather than the bg.
I darkened bg and left at that so no colour added or changed, a bit darker bird and a bit more sat., a touch stronger sharpening action, SS at 120,.2,0 vs, 100, .2, 0.
I think it looks better so thanks for the constructive comments.
Dave
Beautiful bird, Dave. Great detail and sharpness. I dont mind the OOF FG strip for as you say its a result of the low shooting angle. I think both Julies and your reposts improved the image.
Peter
Nice job on the repost, Dave!
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