Just dropped in to check out the Hooded Mergansers

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

_S1A9057_DxO.jpg
_S1A9057_DxO.jpg3000×2001 2.54 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

Jan. 13, 2025, at 9:30 AM, I spent 20 minutes photographing Hooded Mergansers in the shadow of the clubhouse, behind the CT River, when this Hawk landed in a tree overlooking the clubhouse.
Thank you for stopping by.
Peter

Specific Feedback

any

Technical Details

Canon R5, 100-500mm & 1.4ext, 700mm, f10, 1/1600, ISO 800 and a 50% in DXO PhotoLab 8

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2

Hi Peter, nice look at this hawk. I like the over the shoulder glance and the light angle illuminates the head and breast area well. I’m fine with the crop and wonder if any more would start to hurt image quality. Nice that the branches don’t intersect the head.

3

Very nice, Peter. I love that nice clear space around the head and you got a very turn. I’d be tempted to remove the large branch in the lower right. If it get’s too close to the bird’s tail and DxO has a warping tool, you might be able to drag it out of the bottom of the frame.

4

Peter:

This is a very nice shot. I like the framing of the hawk around the branches and this Allen noted, that’s a good thing that one of the branches intersected the head. These shots are really difficult to make look decent, but I think you’ve done a superb job with framing.

5

Hi Allen, Dennis & David
Thank you for the comments. Here is the best of DXO PhotoLab 8’s Retouch tool.
Peter

_S1A9057_DxO-1
_S1A9057_DxO-13000×2001 2.49 MB

6

Nice job on the removal, Peter.

7

Peter:

I have yet to try the photo lab 8 retouch tool. I still don’t know whether I have the program working properly and I am in conversation with some of their tech people and showing them what I’m finding. Maybe I’ll have an answer and maybe it’ll start working.
David

8

Branch removal looks good. I wish that you had better lighting as the RH side of the hawk are in very deep shadow. You could try to work on the shadow areas to bring out more of the features in those areas. Comp is fine and the branches frame in this red-tailed hawk nicely…Jim

9

Hi David & Jim
Thank you for the comments. Jim, I tried lifting the shadows, but nothing looked good.
Peter