I went hunting this morning and the first shot I got was my favorite. Normally I go for cleaner frames but somehow this one works for me. And the lone leaf with the same colors as the bird was so perfect. The BG is spring grass – our answer to snow.
Specific Feedback Requested
All comments welcome!
Technical Details
Is this a composite: No
Canon R5, 100-500 + 1.4X at 700mm, f/10 (wide open), ISO 1600, 1/1600 sec. Tripod. I had been expecting to shoot in the shade and didn’t have time to change anything – fortunately I was in Av mode. Minor tonal adjustments in LR, Topaz Denoise in PS with its default sharpening – hardly noticeable at this image size. A few stray branches removed, mostly at edges. I liked the mess on this one.
The complementary leaf is a bonus. I like the foot position & that we can see it. Such lively little birds. If it ever warms up enough for me to stand still around here, I just might see if I can find some of their cousins.
Nice to see another flavor of dark eyed junco. I would drop the saturation slightly of greens and yellows in the BG. I like the comp and do not mind all the sticks. Well done…Jim
I love this! I don’t think anything is messy about it! It’s outside, there needs to be branches! That’s what the animals like and need! With that beautiful perfect BG it looks like a studio photo!
Thanks guys! @Jim_Zablotny and @terryb, I did tone down the greens quite a bit, but what looks good should be favored over what was “accurate” and I’ll do a little more. Probably not worth a repost. But, really, have you guys just forgotten what grass looks like? Spring will come to you about the time fire season will come to us…
Excellent color, detail and reflective pose. Yes, you could clone away some of the most OOF branches but works as is. I can get close to the Juncos around my house but I face the same issues with many branches. But this is where they like to perch…
Spring will come to you about the time fire season will come to us…
Havin’ some fun with ya!