My first post here: Red-backed Shrike

[Saverio Gatto]

Hi everybody,
my name's Saverio Gatto and I've decided to show you this Red-backed Shrike image to inaugurate my subscription here.
The photo has been taken in october during my last trip to Sinai Peninsula (Egypt).
Waiting for comments and suggestions.



Aperture Value: f/8 - Shutter Speed: 1/4000 - ISO: 800 - Canon EF 500mm f4 IS L + 1.4x

[Randy Stout]

Saverio:

A big welcome to BPN, a great place to learn and grow as a nature photographer.

Your shrike is sharp and perfectly exposed, with nice angle of the head in frame, good catchlight.

The effect is that he is standing in a low level sand storm. Can you share with us your post processing used to create this image?

A fine way to start your BPN journey.

Cheers

Randy

[Saverio Gatto]

Thank you Randy!
Yes it looks like a sand storm but it is only a very blurred rock that was partially masking the bird. I've tried to shoot a second photo raising my tripod to get rid of that rock, but the bird flew away...
Nothing in particular here about post-production:

• Curves adjustment layer for a better color balance
• Levels (luminosity blending mode) to get more contrast
• Hue/saturation adjustment layer
• A bit of smart sharpen after I've reduced the image to 750x500 px

Saverio

[Doug Brown]

Hi Savrio and welcome to BPN. Thanks for sharing your workflow. The image size limit on BPN is 1024 pixels wide and 800 high, so try to take full advantage of the limit. The bird looks great. I particularly like that you recognized the OOF rock and tried to adjust your position; it shows good thinking in the field. Look forward to more of your image posts!

[James Fuller]

I Like the washed out effect on the bottom of the frame.

[Jim Crosswell]

Beautiful image Saverio! I like the washed out effect, sharpness, pose and complimentary BG. Welcome to BPN.

[Saverio Gatto]

Thank you for your kind comments! BPN looks like a nice community full of great and skilled photographers. Saverio

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Saverio, welcome to BPN, and I hope you will enjoy your stay, and join in and meets stacks of new friends from all over the world. You have brought out the colours very well, overall tack sharp, and I like how the feet and tail blend into the FG. I would really like to see this 1024 wide.

[Riju Bhattacharya]

Welcome to BPN...lovely shot to start with!