Red Bellied Woodpecker

[Joel Eade]

Setup in back yard
1D3
300mm 2.8L + 1.4TC II
ISO 1000
f/5.6
1/400
580EXII + better beamer ETTL -2 1/3 stops

[carole wiley]

nice job on the exposure an d the bird is nice and sharp. If this is a set up, I think I would be tempted to get rid of the branch that goes off to the left.

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Joel,

This is a strong image - well done. I like your photography. You show birds in their beautiful state and always a clean background. With these setup shots as you know it is all composition and the perch. You do a great job controlling the background as I mentioned, a distinct advantage of controlling the environment. I agree with carole on left hand twig. Might use healing brush with content aware (CS5) or clone tool.

[Willem Verboom]

I like the sharpness of this beautiful bird. Background works very well on this photo.Great colors.

Willem

[Joel Eade]

Joel,

This is a strong image - well done. I like your photography. You show birds in their beautiful state and always a clean background. With these setup shots as you know it is all composition and the perch. You do a great job controlling the background as I mentioned, a distinct advantage of controlling the environment. I agree with carole on left hand twig. Might use healing brush with content aware (CS5) or clone tool.

Thanks Jeff,

I appreciate the kind words. I had this particular perch set up for small birds when this RBW showed up, can't seem to control who comes to the party all the time!

I like this image because you don't often get to see the "red belly" so well. I did consider removing the branch in CS5 but ultimately decided to keep it as is.

Joel

[Brendan Dozier]

Great capture and comp, Joel. The IQ on this is excellent, nice light, rich color, and BG works great. In a way the twig on left kind of balances the comp, but at the same time it does distract just a tad from the bird. Either way, very nice work!

[annmpacheco]

Oh goodee! What a beauty and the sharpness is spot on. I'd take it anyday with or without the branch. And the "branch" has maybe a bit of web on it! Colors are terrific.

[Kerry Perkins]

Joel, I agree with you - very nice job of showing the red on the belly. Super rendition of the bird overall and an excellent image in all respects. The branch is minor to me, I think the image is strong enough to bear it. Good show!

[Susan Candelario]

Good capture, Joel! I too would be tempted to remove at least half of the branch on the LLS. But overall I think it's a good image all around.