# Downy Woodpecker and repost **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** birds\ **Created:** [September 27, 2024, 3:09pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/downy-woodpecker-and-repost/43371 "2024-09-27T15:09:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Allen\_Brooks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_brooks/32/390_2.png) [@Allen\_Brooks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Brooks)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2024, 3:09pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/downy-woodpecker-and-repost/43371/1 "2024-09-27T15:09:58Z")
![Downy Woodpecker-NPN2](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/7/e/7e88dcc1aede00a32587cccba910686beca1ee09.jpeg) ![20240918-Downy Woodpecker-7-CR3-Edit.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/9/1/91b0f2fbebf77d1ea6ddeca1ece5e41afc8a692a.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description I liked this for the colored leaves framing the woodpecker. ### Specific Feedback Any thoughts appreciated. ### Technical Details Canon R5; 100-500 with 1.4 TC at 420 mm; 1/400 at f8, +3EV; ISO 1250 * * * ### Critique Template Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas. - Vision and Purpose: - Conceptual: - Emotional Impact and Mood: - Composition: - Balance and Visual Weight: - Depth and Dimension: - Color: - Lighting: - Processing: - Technical: ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morrissey](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/peter_morrissey/32/683_2.png) [@Peter\_Morrissey](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Peter_Morrissey)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2024, 5:26pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/downy-woodpecker-and-repost/43371/2 "2024-09-27T17:26:42Z")
Hi Allen I like the framing and the fall leaves help in that framing. Why the +3EV? The background high white is just a little over powering. Peter ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2024, 5:39pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/downy-woodpecker-and-repost/43371/4 "2024-09-27T17:39:15Z")
Nice frame, Allen. The leaves really do contribute a lot to the image. The bright background doesn’t bother me much since I’m used to that kind of sky in the NW. ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2024, 9:22pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/downy-woodpecker-and-repost/43371/5 "2024-09-27T21:22:37Z")
Nice pose and setting, with good sharpness on the bird. The overexposure did a good job of bringing out detail on the bird, which I assume was in some degree of shade. I think you could back off of whatever you did to the sky, though. A faulty spot in a mask shows in the lichen at the bottom of the branch, and there is quite a bit of a cutout look. I’d love to see more of the leaves in the LR corner. ---
**Author:** ![Allen\_Brooks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_brooks/32/390_2.png) [@Allen\_Brooks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Brooks)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2024, 1:59am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/downy-woodpecker-and-repost/43371/6 "2024-09-28T01:59:06Z")
Thanks @Peter_Morrissey , @Sandy_Richards-Brown , @Dennis_Plank , and @Diane_Miller for your input. I’ve posted another version addressing some of the concerns. As Dennis mentioned, that’s a typical overcast sky in the NW. Cloudy, but still quite bright, and I was shooting up at the sky. Perhaps I didn’t need that much exposure compensation, but the bird was pretty dark without quite a bit of it. The original shot cut off the bottom leaf, so I gave generative fill a try. I attempted to fix the lichen and a few other processing issues I came across. Thanks all for your assistance. ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Williams](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/ed_williams/32/65698_2.png) [@Ed\_Williams](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ed_Williams)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2024, 3:17am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/downy-woodpecker-and-repost/43371/7 "2024-09-28T03:17:36Z")
I like the bright leaves on either end of the bird’s branch Allen. It almost looks like colorized B&W. Nice detail in the downy WP. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_Zablotny](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/jim_zablotny/32/3919_2.png) [@Jim\_Zablotny](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Jim_Zablotny)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2024, 11:02am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/downy-woodpecker-and-repost/43371/8 "2024-09-28T11:02:34Z")
High key photography is difficult to pull off with natural subjects, but provides a graphical feel to the comp. The repost improves the brightness of the BG. The blacks are handled well and I would not darken them any more. The leaves add seasonal info and the comp looks pretty good…Jim ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2024, 11:34am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/downy-woodpecker-and-repost/43371/9 "2024-09-28T11:34:12Z")
Very nice job on the repost, Allen.