White-breasted Nuthatch - I appreciate your advice!

[Robert K Griffith]

Thanks for your feedback and advice!

I cropped the master to 1381x2072. I also removed a twig in the upper-right of the image using content aware deletion in CS5. You can see this as a bot of a disruption in the bokeh.

ISO 250
510mm
F/8
1/500
2:33 PM
Ipswich River Audubon, MA

[Sid Garige]

Robert,

Not seeing your image.

-Sid

[Robert K Griffith]

Sorry about the noob post with no visible image. I'm newer to this than I thought!

Again, thanks very much for your feedback and advice!

I've added some additional details about the shot below.

The TC-17EII teleconverter was probably unnecessary in this location, and I could have gotten better results getting closer in with a TC-14EIIx or just the 300mm alone. This was my first time out shooting mixed-flock winter birds with this combo.

I cropped the 14 bit master to 1381x2072, and applied some adjustments to the levels in Aperture 3.0. After exporting to TIFF, I removed a twig in the upper-right of the image using content aware deletion in PhotoShop CS5 (you can see this as a bit of a disruption in the bokeh), and applied some USM.

Nikon D7000
Nikkor 300mm f/4 with TC-17EII teleconverter
ISO 250
Focal lenth 510mm (effective FOV 765mm)
F/8
1/500
2:33 PM
Ipswich River Audubon, MA

I can link to (but not embed) the full res image if it's ok to. I also have a nearly identical shot with a seed in the beak (none used to lure here, strictly natural behavior).

Thanks again!

[Robert K Griffith]

Sorry about the noob post with no visible image. I'm newer to this than I thought!

Again, thanks very much for your feedback and advice!

I've added some additional details about the shot below.

The TC-17EII teleconverter was probably unnecessary in this location, and I could have gotten better results getting closer in with a TC-14EIIx or just the 300mm alone. This was my first time out shooting mixed-flock winter birds with this combo.

I cropped the 14 bit master to 1381x2072, and applied some adjustments to the levels in Aperture 3.0. After exporting to TIFF, I removed a twig in the upper-right of the image using content aware deletion in PhotoShop CS5 (you can see this as a bit of a disruption in the bokeh), and applied some USM.

Camera - Nikon D7000
Lens - Nikkor 300mm f/4 with TC-17EII teleconverter
ISO Sensitivity - 250
Focal lenth - 510mm (effective FOV 765mm)
Aperture - F/8
Shutter Speed - 1/500
Shooting Mode - Aperture Priority
Date & Time - 2/20/2011, 2:33 PM
Location - Ipswich River Audubon, MA

[Peter Farrell]

Hi Robert. This is the perfect WB Nuthatch pose. Very nice detail, colors and sharpness. I like the tree the bird is on and that it's talons are visible. The only thing I would do would be to burn the tree some as I feel it is a bit bright.
Peter

[Julie Kenward]

I like Peter's critique very much. The pose is great (and so nuthatch!) and you've really nailed the aperture - good bird details but a nicely diffused background (BG). Good exposure on the bird but the tree does feel a little bright - you can burn it or select it and do a curves adjustment - whichever you prefer - and that will help focus the viewer's attention on the bird more than the bright tree.

Keep it up and don't forget to comment on other people's images...you'll really learn a lot faster that way!

[Robert K Griffith]

Thanks so much Julie and Peter for your feedback! I really see what you mean about the tree being light. I'll try both burn and curve approaches and see how it turns out.

I'm enjoying soaking in all the great advice on the forums, and the images...wow! You guys and gals don't mess around!

Thanks again for the welcome. I'll post some comments around soon!