Benjamin Franklin's Choice - Repost

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

MaderaTomTurkey
MaderaTomTurkey2000×1343 1.17 MB

Repost

MaderaTomTurkey.jpg
MaderaTomTurkey.jpg2000×1343 1.05 MB

Original

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

This is a nice Tom turkey from the Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon. I understand that Benjamin Franklin thought the turkey should be America’s National Bird instead of the Bald Eagle. I’ve seen some videos lately of turkeys wiping up on bald eagles who were too ignorant and decided to try to take one. They are some really tough birds.

Specific Feedback

I cloned out some unruly dead branches that were lying on the ground in front of this turkey. Any comments are welcomed.

Technical Details

Canon 5DMiii, f5.6, 1/160s, iso 800, -1 ev, 100-400 lens at 150mm.

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2

I’m surprised that this fine image is not another ffrom Hawaii knowing that there are so many “Ben’s favorites” there.

1 Like
3

Nice shot of this bird, Ed. I always have to wonder if perhaps appetite had something to do with Ben’s recommendation? You got very good detail in the plumage on this image. I think you’re using PSE for your processing and I’m not sure about the capabilities, but the upper third of the background is looking a bit “crunchy” to me and I think just a bit of blur would fix it. If you’re using LR for your raw processing, you could use the local adjustment brush to select that area, being careful to avoid the turkey and pull the texture slider to the left until it looks good to you-be sure to use a good feather where it joins the lower part of the image.

4

Hi Ed, really nice look at this turkey. I love seeing the bird in display and the colors look natural. Good detail throughout on the bird. Nice catch.

5

Excellent look at the turkey on display, Ed. The colors and detail really standout. (Glad Ben was out voted.)

6

Thank you for your input @Jim_Gavin, @Dennis_Plank, @Allen_Sparks and @Allen_Brooks. I put some blur on the top portion of the BG as suggested, and added a little vignette. Thanks for the advice.

7

This is a great image with thanksgiving on the way. Nicely seen.

8

I’ve seen a small group of turkeys chase and attack coyotes. The spurs on the legs of the Toms are gruesome defense weapons, and also help tell the age of the turkey.
This is a great shot of this young, displaying male, with nice colors and look at the head and wattle.
Nice catch!