Red Grouse 2 (wet)

[Steve Kaluski]

Christopher G on my previous thread mentioned that the heather was out, which is very true at this time of year and a great backdrop for these birds that live and forage in these locations. This one had been ferreting around after a downpour and with plumage rather bedraggled surfaced when the shutter went off. With a slight breeze I guess this helped to get the heather a bit more diffused, not done in PS, all in camera.

I think I should remove the sprig of heather on the LHS, as the eye is drawn to it, IMHO?

Steve

Subject: Wet Red grouse in moorland, early morning (Lagopus lagopus)
Location: UK
Camera: Canon MKIII
Lens: 500f/4 plus 1.4x - handheld
Exposure: 1/1250s at f5.6 ISO400 0 stop compensation
Crop: Almost FF, slight crop (original capture vertical)

[Marina Scarr]

I really like this one, Steve, and I would not touch one single sprig. They don't ditract IMO, they enhance and give character and a feel of even more environment, as well as help frame the grouse. The color in this is just a killer and the comp you chose works well.

[gail bisson]

I agree about removing sprig of heather. The BG has a painted feeling to it. very different shot and I like it. I would take a bit off the bottom but that is purely a personal taste thing as some will like leaving room for the virtual body.
gail

[dankearl]

I like it and I would leave the sprigs in.

[Ron Sprunger]

It's a great image. I personally wouldn't remove anything. Well done.

[Geir Jensen]

Beautiful images. Well dine

[Ofer Levy]

WOW! Fantastic image!!! Won't remove a thing but would consider cropping a tiny bit off the top to further move the head off centre.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Steve, love the vibrant colours in this, and you have captured a great angled pose. I do like the DOF effect, and how the foliage blends into the grouse. Well thought out.

[Morkel Erasmus]

The setting here makes the shot Steve...as well as the low angle.
I'm going to be stream-up and suggest that if you have space on the LHS you add it and see how it comes out? With the beautiful heather framing the bird so well I would like to see the bird smack dang in the middle

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks everyone, guess it all seemed to have gel on this one.

Welcome back Stuart, trust you had a good time, I am sure we will see how good in the coming days, LOL.

cheers again.
Steve

[Steve Kaluski]

Hey Morkel, plenty of room all round, just cropped based on RoT's, will have a look.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Hey Morkel, plenty of room all round, just cropped based on RoT's, will have a look.

Well you know what "they" say about RULES ...

[Danny J Brown]

Oh man, Steve, this is such a unique and breathtaking portrait. We never see colors like this. Wow.

DB

[Leandro Herrainz]

Very nice picture! love the colors on the BG, and the sharpness on the bird!

[Daniel Cadieux]

As others have stated before...don't remove anything! Just the dark area at bottom of the frame that draws my eye but can easily be dealt with by adding (cloning in) some pink in there at 20-30% opacity and large soft brush. All else is fantastic, great image overall Steve!

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks again guys, rest assured my next posting will be a little easier on the eyes and less purple haze.

Good point Daniel, believe it or not, I just didn't see it, 'wood for the trees' as we would say, will do, thanks.

Steve

[christopher galeski]

nice one Steve,cant' beat the heather this time of the year,nice sharp bird,good angle,and the blured heather,is different,like it,well done.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Steve. echo all the positives above. Wouldn't remove anything.
Is a "Red Grouse 3 (dry)" coming?
Awesome image!

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks guys, and Daniel, took you advice, worked a treat, and IMHO this has just elevated it, cheers.

Hi Sidharth, just spent the whole day printing 15 files for a talk I'm giving, locked away in my bunker, but had a good old chuckle at the 'Red Grouse 3 (dry)', sounds like a Die Hard spin off movie. All I can say is who knows, just watch this space...

Thanks again.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Thanks guys, and Daniel, took you advice, worked a treat, and IMHO this has just elevated it, cheers.

Super! Glad it worked to your liking

[Steve Kaluski]

Super! Glad it worked to your liking

Highlights the point of the Forum and exchange of thoughts & suggestions.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Steve, terrific image. count me in the camp that thinks the sprig should not be removed. the low angle, fg/bg blur, colors, comp....loved everything.

[Jim Crosswell]

Excellent image Steve! I like the colours, sharpness and composition.