Morning Steller's

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

STELLER'S.jpg
STELLER'S.jpg1239Ă—1416 574 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

I snagged this guy recently in the early morning sun from my deck while watching for hummingbirds.

Specific Feedback

Should I have gone to the trouble of getting rid of that orange tree artifact in the upper right? Anything else?

Technical Details

Z9, 180-600 lens, Nikon 1.4 TC, monopod, 1/3200th, f 9.0, 570mm, ISO 14400, cropped to 3932 x 4492.

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2 Likes
2

Very nice, Dave. Great pose with excellent eye contact and a pleasing setting.

3

Keep as is. The orange area is a natural part of the pine tree which is the bird’s environment. Love the pose especially the eye contact.

4

Great pose you captured Dave. Love seeing the backside of the bird with that great head turn. Nice setting. I think you can leave the tree as is.

5

Dave: I like it as is. You have a very nice pose with good eye contact. The pine cone remnant is part of the bird’s environment so you can certainly leave it. If you cropped the image, you might consider leaving a bit more room at the bottom.

6

Hi Dave
The overall farming eye contact, feather color and detail are all good. The only thing you could look at is taking down the highlights on the birds back and the branch in the left side of the frame.
Peter
Ps
How do you like the Z9 & 150-600mm lens, did you look into the Z8?

7

Thanks for your input. Always welcome. I LOVE the 180-600 lens/Z9 combination. I bought the Z9 back before the Z8 was available. Even though it’s big and heavy, I think I still prefer it over the Z8 from the specs I have read.

8

Hi Dave
What is the frame rate, you find works best for you. (20-30)?
Did you look at the Nikon 600mm f6.3?
Peter
Thank you

9

I’m at 20 FPS. I like the handiness of this zoom for wildlife shooting plus that 600 is above my pay grade.

10

Hi Dave
Thank you for the information. My Parkinson’s Neurologist states that since bird photography is such an important part of your life, I should buy a 600mm prime lens. So I have spent way too much time looking at a Canon 600mm f4 prime lens, Sony A1 & 200-600mm or 600mm prime lens system and last but not least, Nikon Z8 & 18-600mm f6.3 & 600mm prime f6.3. The only thing slowing me down is weight and price.
Peter

11

Good luck with your decision. Peter. If you’re like me, you will forget all about how much you had to fork over when you’re enjoying the product. Like the Kauai helicopter tour, for example.

12

Hey Peter. Did you get him to write a prescription so health insurance will pay for the lens?

13

Hi Dennis
She is a very good doctor and she has stated a number of times “you are 75 and we have been treating your Parkinson’s for over 5 years, you should do the importing in your life now”. Granted my Parkinson’s is reasonably stable and there is no reason to think I will take a downturn in the future but, nothing is guaranteed in life. So I still have the weight and cost thing to consider and I am open to any suggestion.
Peter