Male Volcano Hummingbird, Talamanca Cordillera

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

-20240217-_A1_3656-Costa Rica-ARW-Edit.jpg
-20240217-_A1_3656-Costa Rica-ARW-Edit.jpg2048×1673 1.63 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

Still browsing back through the files from my February Costa Rica trip. It’s obvious that I didn’t cull very well the first time through-lots of junk, but a few nice ones. This guy was obviously in molt: patchy chest and opposing wing feathers missing, but he’s one of only two males of this species I found. He hung around pretty well one morning and gave me some pretty good opportunities. The gorgets on these guys always stay pretty grayish with just bits of iridescence.

Specific Feedback

Does the patchy plumage from the molt detract or add to the image? Otherwise, all suggestions for processing and composition are gratefully accepted.

Technical Details

Sony A1, FE 200-600 + 1.4 TC @ 840 mm, f/9, 1/800, iso 2500. Preprocessed in DxO PureRaw 4, processed in LR & PS CC. A pretty significant crop to remove a feeder on the left and then some canvas added with content aware to give the guy a bit more room. Brought the exposure up a bit, did some microcontrast boost on the feathers and a slight saturation boost on the face.

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  • Vision and Purpose:
  • Conceptual:
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2

Excellent!! Wonderful pose and detail, great colors and the perfect BG. I like the composition/crop and wings are very nice – not easy to get both good with hummers. I don’t mind the sightly messy feathers as they give you additional wonderful detail. No nits!!

3

Dennis, I would be thrilled to call this shot mine. Wonderful details and a nice smooth BG to make him stand out.

4

Again, with the wings back, fully exposed, nothing to hide. I really like the tail feathers spread out showing the colors. No nits . Thanks

5

No nits from me, either. Excellent facial detail, nice wing position and background.

6

Hi Dennis, fine detail and I love seeing the gorget like that. Nice exposure and composition. Well done!

1 Like
7

This one really stands out to me, Dennis, especially for how you captured such clarity despite the subject’s quick movements. The soft background brings out the colors and textures in the bird beautifully, drawing all attention to the subtle details in the plumage.

I think the patchy feathers from the molt actually add a layer of character to the image. It gives the bird a bit of a rugged, real-world appearance, showing that not every shot needs a flawless subject to convey something interesting. The balance between the bird and the soft backdrop helps focus attention where it matters most—the iridescent chest and the intricacy of the wing in motion. Nice!! :clap: