I have a Canon 7D and a 100-400. I have a custom setting with Ai Servo, AV and usually ISO 800 for fast shutter speed. I use a Better Beamer, but did not for this photo. I'm still learning how to use it effectively.
Hi Gloria
There is a lot to like about this image. I like the pose, head angle, eye contact and perch, and focus is spot on. The in focus branch on the right also adds interest and provides balance without distracting from the subject. For my tastes I would apply a little noise reduction on the BG, and maybe try to bring down the highlights on the lower part of the perch, the birds back and back of the head.
I also really like this - as Stuart mentioned: pose, eye contact look spot on, and I also think exposure looks good.
Slightly differing view on the branch on the right, though, as I did find it a bit distracting. Would be interesting to see a different crop, taking a bit off the right & cloning out any remaining branches to give clean green BG all the way to the right.
Thank you, Stuart and Gordon for your comments and recommendations.
I agree I can tone down those highlights on the branch, although I'm thinking more like a people portrait photographer, where I learned about backlighting and that's why I left the feathers lighter on the back :-) I guess that's also why I left the branch on the right, as it looked like a natural frame, LOL! I guess I have to think more on how to emphasize the bird. Most of my photos include the birds surroundings.
Tomorrow I will be accompanying a Forest Ranger on a bird count. Can't wait!
Wow, I've been skimming through some tutorials and I see how much I have to try to learn! So many details. Looking at the Head Angle thread amazes me. Some of the photos I hardly could see a difference. Here is another version of my Orange Bishop with most of your suggestions. I can see how it emphasizes the bird more, but I still kind of like the other framing.
I really like this image. I can visualize the original cropping on a greeting card. I really like the framing and the blurred background provides a perfect spot for text.
Gloria, I really like the repost! I also like the natural framing of the Opening Post (OP) as well but this does showcase the bird a little bit more. I definitely like the branch better now that it doesn't pull the eye away from the bird.
Thank you, Julie! I'm realizing the difference in the concept of "emphasizing the bird" as a nature photographer and to document a bird in it's environment. I hope to learn how to better emphasize a bird in my photos.
Orange Bishop_Euplectes franciscanus
Posting Permissions
