Hi David, really nice behavioral image. The feeding action between these two tells a wonderful story. Nice perch too and great that they are right on the curve. I like this version but I could see an alternative with a crop from the left and then fill in the darker part of the upper BG. Nice capture either way.
I would be tempted to use a tighter crop from the left and Allen’s recommendation for filling in the dark area will certainly be good. This certainly would fit an intimate view of the parent feeding one of its youngsters. A very nice shot…Jim
Hi David— Great shot! I like the contrast of the sharpness of the two birds juxtaposed with the blurred background. Also, very well balanced to my eye.
David, this is a fine catch on a parent feeding a youngster. The moss that they’re on is a good extra. The long curving branch fits your pano crop well. As others have suggested a more conventional size ratio (cropped from the left) should also look good. I’m fine with the background.
I’m rather late to this one, David. I really like the action and your usual great perch. For my taste I much prefer the first revision. I don’t know what happened with the second revision, but that one looks like the contrast was dialed back. The first revision has much more realistic tones for the birds and the crop works well for my taste.
Great catch and as others have mentioned, a great nature story too. Great detail in the birds and even at f/9 you managed to get it all sharp, and of course with a soft bg. Well done!
For me, I prefer the second image for a couple reasons. I like that you got rid of the darker area and also the crop feels a bit better. The 2nd revision impression I think is influenced by seeing the 1st two… but I think the raised shadows and lower contrast aren’t looking as good as the 1st two. But that’s pretty picky.
I’m wondering, and will ask, what do you think about a square crop? I’m kinda new to composing for birds and unsure about what might be considered a good comp, or is it like anything else, a matter of personal choice? I do like the 2nd image in terms of the composition and loosely fitting in to the Rule of Thirds… nicely balanced.
Since camping out in my backyard and patio since getting my new lens, I’m up to about 8 species and these little skiddish Chickadees frequent my feeder - although not like the house finches!
I prefer the first revision for the same reasons Lon stated. It makes me feel engaged in the scene. The colors and blur of he background are a nice balance. The new crop makes the branch feel cut off.
A square crop would definitely work. And they don’t always work. It’s more a matter of preference I think. I seem to get a lot of criticism when I do square crops so I kind of stopped doing them.
