Another bird in an actual tree + RP

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

A crop from the left to remove distractions in both corners and then the top leaf bothered me so I pruned it too:

_49A4063-Enhanced-NR-Edit-Edit-Edit
_49A4063-Enhanced-NR-Edit-Edit-Edit2000×1595 1.37 MB

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_49A4063-Enhanced-NR-Edit.jpg2000×1464 1.27 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

This juvie Mourning Dove caught my eye as it flew into a nearby tree, so I decided to try for it. It was too far away for the 1.4X I had on and the perch wasn’t exactly artistic, but it was worth keeping.

Specific Feedback

All comments welcome!

Technical Details

Screenshot 2024-09-20 at 4.15.02 PM

Minor global tonal tweaks in LR, then its Enhanced NR (the order doesn’t matter – it will do NR on the base file and then position the sliders as you had them in the DNG, then you can continue to tweak them). Into PS to remove some small OOF branches and crop to 18% of the original frame.

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2 Likes
2

Nice job on the dove, Diane. The detail is still fine in the bird and perch. The only thing I might do is dab just a touch more blur on the out of focus branch on the left-particularly the light colored moss clump that still has a hint of a crunchy look. Doves a very underappreciated subjects, though I must admit that in the group, mourning doves are far from the showiest.

3

Thanks, @Dennis_Plank! That corner was bothering me, and also the UL corner. It would be easy to do some tweaking on both areas but I’m rarely wedded to an aspect ratio and a crop fixes both. Better?

4

The crop did the trick, Diane.

5

Nice setting, details, and lighting Diane. Doves are beautiful understated birds. Godd choice with the crop.

6

I usually find the blue eye ring the most attractive part of the dove, but here I really like how you got those fluffed up feathers-adds to the interest of the image.

7

The crop and leaf removal worked nicely. All floofy and fine - doves are so photogenic. When they look like this it’s hard to remember they are such spectacular fliers. The bit of OOF veg in front is a nice framing touch.

8

Much better with the crop. Like it.

9

Thanks, @Dennis_Plank, @Ed_Williams, @Allen_Brooks, @Kris_Smith and @David_Schoen! When I have more time I’m going to haunt the trees more and see if I can get some in more natural settings. Problem is, there are way more trees than birds.