# Northern Cardinal **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** birds\ **Created:** [January 1, 2026, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/northern-cardinal/49231 "2026-01-01T17:44:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [January 1, 2026, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/northern-cardinal/49231/1 "2026-01-01T17:44:09Z")
![cardinal.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/9/4/949be45d8bcfa5bae1f1d7d2b28f8aa3f7bc1c52.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description Cardinals are rarely cooperative and most show up at the feeders during twilight. The bright reds become muted at that time enabling the brightly colored males to evade predators. This one was photographed late morning and he’s probably complaining about the 18-degree temperature. ### Specific Feedback I used a 8x10 horizontal crop. Would you prefer a more vertical comp? ### Technical Details Z9 180-400mm with 1.4 TC engaged 560mm (1/2500 sec at f8.0, ISO 2500) DeNoise, Levels, bump up in exposure, Crop for Comp, Rubber stamp tool to remove distracting branches. * * * ### 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:** ![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:** [January 1, 2026, 5:49pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/northern-cardinal/49231/2 "2026-01-01T17:49:32Z")
Beautiful, detailed look at the Cardinal, Jim. I think the crop works as it gives the bird room to complain into. ---
**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:** [January 1, 2026, 8:37pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/northern-cardinal/49231/3 "2026-01-01T20:37:16Z")
Beautiful reds, Jim. I don’t think you could get a good vertical crop out of this with the fairly horizontal pose of the bird. The perch makes the crop just a bit awkward for this. If you removed the tip of the twig to the old bud, you could crop in a bit more from the left and bottom, which might be an interesting alternative. ---
**Author:** ![Allen\_Sparks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_sparks/32/63507_2.png) [@Allen\_Sparks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Sparks)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 5:02pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/northern-cardinal/49231/4 "2026-01-02T17:02:46Z")
Hi Jim, wonderful details on the bird where it matters and nice color rendition. Love the open beak too. The muted background sets off the birds nicely. I like this crop and I think a vertical version would also be attractive if desired. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Schoen](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/david_schoen/32/368_2.png) [@David\_Schoen](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/David_Schoen)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 9:51pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/northern-cardinal/49231/5 "2026-01-02T21:51:19Z")
Really excellent control of color here Nothing too flashy! This is the way a cardinal should look. ---
**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:** [January 3, 2026, 4:15am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/northern-cardinal/49231/6 "2026-01-03T04:15:14Z")
Gorgeous pose, detail and color!! I could see a square crop from the right. The vertical branch makes that work for me, but not sure I can justify it. Maybe the branch divides it too close to half and half with nothing on the right. ---
**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:** [January 7, 2026, 9:05pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/northern-cardinal/49231/7 "2026-01-07T21:05:50Z")
Hi Jim Great reds nd blacks. The eye contact and open beak and nailed the photograph. Peter