Oak Titmouse Variety

Image Critiques
1

Original - 56ZE_1640CR2-npn.jpg
Original - 56ZE_1640CR2-npn.jpg2298×1824 499 KB

Additional image 1
Additional image 12298×1819 779 KB

Additional image 2
Additional image 22136×2298 972 KB

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 hope his is ok posting 3 different images. As I’ve previously mentioned, I’ve really been enjoying watching and photographing the birds in my backyard. I finally had to break down and install a Bird ID app on my phone to start keeping track. But it’s not bad, I don’t get a huge variety; if I don’t count the crows, scrub jays or morning doves who don’t visit the feeder… I’ve only identified less than 10 species that have visited.

The little, skiddish Oak Titmouse I usually see whenever I’m out on the patio, but they are quick little buggers and don’t stay in one spot very long. So I’m pretty luch and excited to get a few good frames of these little guys.

The first image I was caught off guard and was lucky he stayed in the asparagus ferns long enough to grab a few frames. I like that he had the black seed in it’s mouth. ( I did darken a little to make it more visible.) The second frame is the classic BOS, bird on a stick image. I nailed this perch to the top of the pole and placed it near the feeder. The bad thing is, I now have hundreds of bird pics on the same stick… Time to rotate in a new one I think. Lastly, and sorry for the human yard art… but I really liked the pose I got with this one.

Feedback Requested

Since I’m fairly new at the bird photography, I’m really interested to know how these are looking? I also have the new lens, and these are at 467-500mm and 12-14 ft away. How is the sharpness? And like the hummer, I’m concentrating on getting the head/bill sharp and the wide open lens of course reduces the depth, so some parts are not sharp.

As always, processing, colors, saturation, luminosity feedack is always welcome.

Thanks for taking a look and any comments or feedback!

Technical Details

Image 1
Camera: NIKON Z 8
Lens: TAMRON 150-500mm F/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD A057Z
Focal length: 467mm
Shutter speed: 1/250s
Aperture: f/6.7
ISO: 1400

Image 2
Camera: NIKON Z 8
Lens: TAMRON 150-500mm F/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD A057Z
Focal length: 500mm
Shutter speed: 1/1000s
Aperture: f/8
ISO: 16000

Image 3
Camera: NIKON Z 8
Lens: TAMRON 150-500mm F/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD A057Z
Focal length: 500mm
Shutter speed: 1/250s
Aperture: f/6.7
ISO: 2800

2

These guys are so fun. They look a little scruffy or wet which adds to that goofy aspect of them. I miss titmice. We are within the Tufted variety’s range, but I never see or hear them. Bah.

I think you’re on your way here - the first is my favorite with all that soft greenery abound it and the bonus seed. Super sharpness where it counts - eye and face. Without those, I just delete. And trust me when I tell you the ‘Delete Rejected Images’ count is high with bird photography. You might tone down the greens behind the bird just a touch on that one.

BOS has a nice head angle to make us wonder what it’s looking at. Again, pretty nice sharpness although the eye seems crisper in the first image. One thing that is TOTALLY subjective is the reflection of green on light feathers - I sometimes remove or reduce those so the bird doesn’t look odd. Completely your call.

The last one made me laugh so the yard art perch doesn’t matter much. Again, toning down the bg greens (luminosity/exposure and/or saturation) might be a good thing to keep them from competing with our silly friend.

Great series of a cute little bird that seems quite at home in front of the camera!

1 Like
3

Hi Lon, nice captures in each. These are such cute subjects! I like the seemingly close to eye level view of the first and third images. As Kris mentions, critical areas of sharpness are good in each image. I also really like the first shot for the all the greenery surrounding the bird. Nice profile view too. The curvy perch in the second image adds another element of interest to my eye. Well done.

4

I have to go with number one here as my favorite. It is very sharp and detailed and at the right point of view. Light is terrific.

5

The oof areas in the first are gorgeous, Lon. That lens has great bokeh. I like the pose in the second and the third is nice as well. One trick for perches that both David Schoen and I use is to make a holder for the perches out of pvc pipe (1/2 inch works nicely) and just stick your perches in it. It makes them super easy to change out. You do get the occasional bird (usually the rarest) that perches on the pvc, but it’s not that often. I tend to grab some camo spray paint colors and paint my pvc so it’s not too blatant, but that’s just my sense of aesthetics.

1 Like
6

Thank you so much @Kris_Smith , @Allen_Sparks , @David_Schoen and @Dennis_Plank ! I appreciate the comments and feedback. And I’m certainly learing lots!

Thanks for all the feedback! Yeah, I struggle with the greens/yellows and since my background is all that, every image I’m either tweaking the WB, saturation, etc. etc. And thank you for pointing out the reflect color on the light belly of the bird. I had noticed that (and also in other frames) and was questioning if the Titmouse actually had a hint of yellow on the underside; much like the House Finches exhibit some yellow. But the other images didn’t show the yellow/green - so ah ha! it must be the reflected light! Great observation!

I’m glad the bokeh is pleasing. I’m quite happy with the lens and when shooting wide open, an OOF bg is going to produce bokeh, and so I’m happy with that. Great idea about changing out perches with the PVC. I’m getting tired of the one I have and can only rotate the stick and/or change my viewpoint. It’s a cool stick though - I think with a little imagination, it has the profile of Half Dome!

Thanks all for the feedback and tips!

7

It’s funny about reflections of the canopy - the first time I photographed a Blue spotted salamander, I thought it had algae on it, but no - it was a reflection of the leaves above. The second one also had it going on. It has a more to do with how shiny and wet their skins are in their case because the blue spots are on a black background. It just makes them a little more charming.

8

Hi Lon, Glad you’re enjoying bird photography. Another great way to enjoy nature. Good detail in all. The first one is nicely framed by all that greenery and the seed is a nice addition. I like the head on look of the last one.