Northern Harrier - Habitat Question

[Michael Yessik]

In general, the advice on this site is clean shots, even to the extent where there is considerable discussion about removing "distracting" elements from the original capture. This is a case where I think the grass in front of the bird adds to the image. For me, it provides emphasis to just how low to the ground these large birds can fly while hunting. Personally, I would not remove a single blade of grass, but I'm very curious as to the opinions of others. I do remember one lengthy discussion on this site (somewhat rhetorical) about whether one would want to add a stick partially obscuring a bird, if it weren't there in the shot. In this case, perhaps adding another blade or two might well enhance the image.

Anyhow, what do you all think?

D7000, 500mm 1.4TC

[Joel Eade]

This is a great image, it is nice to see the natural behavior with the habitat, I agree with that. I also think you could make it better and not change the natural history of what is happening by removing some of the very thin blades that cross the bird. I guess that would make it better than real life but I think bird photography is a creative art and would have no problem with doing so. I would also disclose the changes made so as not to mislead or offend anyone who thinks differently about such things.

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Michael,

The advice many of us give is to keep the habitat and show the environment surrounding the subject if it compliments the picture. You are the photographer what do you want to show. The grass is not distracting, it compliments the subject in this case. If you had a trash can in the middle then one might advise you to grab the clone tool and go to work if you so desired.

For example, I find the leaf in the LRHC distracting, one might argue the picture is stronger without that dark black blur and it pulls the eye off the subject - the issue is "what say you". Remember photography is about the scene and your voice but there is also technique to help composition and balance the frame. You know, rule of thirds, leading lines and things of that nature. Anyway, I like the picture it does look a bit warm what was the white balance setting. Nice work my friend, keep em coming.

[Kerry Perkins]

Michael, sorry but I can't think of any circumstance of bird photography where an image is enhanced by having OOF elements in front of the bird. The ground is where it is, it doesn't need any blades of grass to make it look closer to the ground. In my opinion, the image should be more about the bird than the grass, but if you think the grass is more important then by all means put more in front of the bird. I will disagree... Habitat yes, distracting elements no.

As for the capture, the bird is well past you in the frame and I would love to see more detail as the image looks very soft to me. I would add some saturation in the red and yellow space. Were you on a tripod or hand-held? What were your shutter speed, aperture, and ISO? Please post your technical info.