I got my eyes on you!

Image Critiques
1

SandhillHeadon.jpg
SandhillHeadon.jpg1515Ă—2000 948 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

We have a park near our home where most of its residents have lost their fear of humans. People have been feeding birds there and many will land on your hand for free food. The park staff discourages people from feeding the sandhills which can inflict injury to the hand with that monster bill! This one was giving me the eye hoping that its stare would lead to some food.

Specific Feedback

I had my camera settings geared towards freezing action for small fast moving birds. The RAW file contained a fair amount of noise due to the high ISO. Hopefully, the residual noise is not a major distraction. How do you like the head on view of this guy?

Technical Details

Z9 180-400mm f4 with 1.4xTC engaged 560mm (1/4000 sec at f9.0, ISO 25600) DeNoise, Levels, crop for comp, curves adjustment for boost in contrast…Jim

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1 Like
2

Cool view – good detail and a nice BG! I don’t see any issue with noise. He does look pretty intent…

3

Very cool angle on this bird, Jim. I can barely see noise in the background on the largest view, so I don’t consider it an issue. It would have been nice to get the whole beak in focus, but that would have required some major setting changes and still might not have worked.

4

Hi Jim, very nice close up. Great detail and color on the head crown and eyes - really draws me in. I don’t see noise as an issue here.

5

Hi Jim
I think you have to look really hard to see any noise. The eyes make this photograph. Very cool.
Peter

6

I find this interesting for 2 reasons: I never knew Sandhills (and I guess other cranes) could look forward in synch as well as sideways in different directions. And I never saw the distinctive red patch so close and detailed. Reminds me of one of my school teachers - no messing!

7

Excellent close-up/portrait, Jim. Those eyes really draw you in. Noise not an issue for me. Good handling of the whites.

8

Jim, this is a terrific portrait. Very sharp and wonderful background. Also a very unusual pose. Nicely done.