# Not afraid **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** birds, intimate\ **Created:** [September 22, 2026, 9:02pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/not-afraid/52342 "2026-09-22T21:02:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![xavier1](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/xavier1/32/70972_2.png) [@xavier1](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/xavier1)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 9:02pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/not-afraid/52342/1 "2026-09-22T21:02:28Z")
![Original - _Y6A8252_1920.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/2/4/24d9189a9c5e4fca3dd1414ab6bcf5b9a9450e2c.jpeg) **Critique Style:** Standard The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below. **Feedback Focus:** Artistic + Technical ### About This Image I was in Spain, chasing eclipses. Vultures on cliffs lured me to a small patch of semi-wilderness. During my walk I was accompanied by this small red tailed bird, who did not seem afraid of me and my companion. This is my last (and I think, best) picture of it. It took some time to watch its behaviour, find out which seeds it was after and finally catch it in a watchful attitude. A very nice experience that I hope to live again soon. ### Feedback Requested I used the largest aperture of my lens at full zoom and the lowest ISO possible. Since the bird was mostly still, I could use 1/100". The background is not as smooth as I had wished, but catching the bird inside ‘its’ thicket turned out much better than standing on a rock. ### Technical Details Camera: Canon EOS R6 Lens: RF200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Focal length: 800mm Shutter speed: 1/100s Aperture: f/9 ISO: 1250 ---
**Author:** ![Huw\_Thomas](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/huw_thomas/32/87850_2.png) [@Huw\_Thomas](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Huw_Thomas)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 11:02pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/not-afraid/52342/2 "2026-09-22T23:02:21Z")
Hi Xavier It s a lovely image and catching it in a realistic bower is lovely The area behind the birds head is very bright and I would darken it a bit if you can, or if you agree. I may have been a little strong on the darkening Regards Huw Processing example based on the original image: ![_Y6A8252_1920](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/e/3/e3b8509bc07673b5ce7757419ae654e1c722bcf7.png) ---
**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:** [September 23, 2026, 4:47pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/not-afraid/52342/3 "2026-09-23T16:47:27Z")
Excellent look at the bird, Xavier. I like the environmental aspect. For me, I prefer the lighter background. ---
**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:** [September 23, 2026, 8:19pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/not-afraid/52342/4 "2026-09-23T20:19:00Z")
Hi Xavier, nice catch with fine details on the bird, good look at the eye and the colored tail feathers. The environmental aspect of this image adds another layer of interest. As far as dark vs light background, for my taste I think I’d like a version that split the difference between the two. Nice image as is though. ---
**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:** [September 23, 2026, 8:41pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/not-afraid/52342/5 "2026-09-23T20:41:13Z")
A beautiful job on the bird ( a search produce “Black Redstart” as the likely ID. This would be a female or juvenile). I understand the desire for bringing down the bright area on the left, but I would be very gentle about doing it as I don’t think it needs to come down much. ---
**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:** [September 24, 2026, 3:33pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/not-afraid/52342/6 "2026-09-24T15:33:39Z")
I agree with @Dennis_Plank that this is a black redstart which is found in Spain. You could darken the bright area in the BG slightly if so desired. The nice thing about that portion of the BG is that it allows the head of the bird to stand out nicely. Well done…Jim ---
**Author:** ![Lon\_Overacker](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/lon_overacker/32/10929_2.png) [@Lon\_Overacker](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Lon_Overacker)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2026, 1:08am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/not-afraid/52342/7 "2026-09-27T01:08:59Z")
Xavier, What a beautiful catch and image of this one. I agree that the surrounding vegetation, while pretty chaotic, is providing a wonderful environmental aspect, creating an even better nature story. I do notice some selective reverse vignetting, or dodging(and blurring?) around the frame. This is very effective. Of course helped out by the shallow depth of field. I do also favor the brighter bg. Beautifully captured! ---
**Author:** ![xavier1](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/xavier1/32/70972_2.png) [@xavier1](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/xavier1)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2026, 8:52pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/not-afraid/52342/8 "2026-10-11T20:52:30Z")
Thanks for the ID. I looked it up also after posting and came to the same conclusion. ---
**Author:** ![xavier1](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/xavier1/32/70972_2.png) [@xavier1](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/xavier1)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2026, 8:54pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/not-afraid/52342/9 "2026-10-11T20:54:55Z")
Thank you Lon, for your very precise comments. Very useful as usual. The reverse vignetting is due to very unsharp foreground elements that were lit by direct sunlight. ---
**Author:** ![xavier1](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/xavier1/32/70972_2.png) [@xavier1](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/xavier1)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2026, 8:56pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/not-afraid/52342/10 "2026-10-11T20:56:42Z")
Thank you all, for your reactions. I personally found the bright spot behind the birds head added to the picture. It took several attempts before its head was placed at the right spot.