Hi Paul,
don't agree - I find the exposure to be perfectly ok. But I wouldn't agree with the sharpening, that's much too much for my taste. Though I admit of being somebody preferring a "soft" look and am used getting complaints about showing images that are not "sharp enough" ;-)
But if you look at the tree - there are many fine light areas that make the bark look a bit artificial to me, and I would assume its the sharpening and not the exposure.
Many greetings, and hey, great bird by the way :-)!
Christof
I think the exposure is OK as well. I am wondering if this is a big crop? There is a slight sharpening halo around the bird so a little too much sharpening. I am wondering if you used the shadow/highlight tool in PS, sometimes it can do this.
You need a little off the right as well as the left (more from the right) in this image.to make the bird stand out more.
That is a really nice bird, I hope you get another crack at him!