Plain Jane

[Randy Given]

Another photo I considered not posting, but I just finished reading a good thread about posting as much as possible, in order to learn more quickly (okay, now I'm really asking for it). Basically violated rule-of-thirds, but this was nearly an uncropped photo -- suggestions for cropping, if any? Other critiques?

7D, 300mm IS + 1.4xII, HH, f/8, 1/50, ISO 400, soon after sunrise on an overcast morning

[Gordon McKechnie]

Very nice detail & sharpness. And head angle works very well for me too.
I'd suggest adding some canvas to the right, as it does feel a little bit cramped to me. Would also be interested to see the impact from lightening the bird a little bit and/or darkening the background. Finally, lightening the iris might also help the eye stand out a bit more
Nice clean capture.

[Richard Stern]

Hi Randy,

All good points made by Gordon. Also, the bird could use a bit more "pop" - e.g. a 20/60/0 USM. I took the liberty of applying those settings and also applying some Dodge with a light soft brush to the eye - do you think this looks any better? BTW I assume it's a juv. or 1st cycle Ring-bill?

Richard

[Kerry Perkins]

Hi Randy, good suggestions made above regarding the levels - the image is fairly dark and especially the gull. Selecting the bird and working on the bg and bird separately would help this image a lot. I would lower the level of the bg and boost the bird by the same amount. Otherwise nice portrait!

Richard, are you sure you used the dodge tool and not the burn tool on the eye? It looks darker in your repost, which otherwise makes the image better for me.

[Richard Stern]

Hi Kerry,

I used the dodge tool on the catch-light only, so that might make the rest of the pupil appear to look darker by increasing the contrast.

Richard

[Kerry Perkins]

Thanks Richard. The net result is that the eye looks darker. The definition between the iris and pupil has been lost everywhere except around the catchlight.

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Nice back and forth above. Like to see a lighter eye and a tad more sharpness. I like the portrait, maybe some fill flash for the early hours. Randy, thanks for sharing and bring em on,..you are improving!

[Marina Scarr]

Hi Randy:

Took the liberty to work on this photo. Here's what I did. To lighten it up a bit, esp the eye, I used the Shadow/Highlight tool on the Shadows. (Go to Image>Adjustments>Shadow/Highlights). Then I added canvas top and right and recropped to put the bird's eye at the upper left cross. I also gave it another round of sharpening. I hope you are pleased with the results.

[Randy Given]

Hi Randy:

Took the liberty to work on this photo. Here's what I did. To lighten it up a bit, esp the eye, I used the Shadow/Highlight tool on the Shadows. (Go to Image>Adjustments>Shadow/Highlights). Then I added canvas top and right and recropped to put the bird's eye at the upper left cross. I also gave it another round of sharpening. I hope you are pleased with the results.

Looks nice!