Critique Style Requested: Standard
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Always great to see these small birds visit the backyard setup. Attracted by bark butter.
Any comments appreciated.
Canon R7, 200-800mm@800, tripod
ISO 2500, f10, 1/4000s
Processed with DXO PureRaw 4 and Photoshop.
I like it as presented. The pose, dark background and lichens on the branch. Plus the catchlight. I noticed you used PureRaw 4. Probably for NR. I find it works better than what is in LR for anything ISO 2000 and above. Might consider darkening the bottom of the stick to better showcase the bird.
A beautiful image of this warbler, Allen. They’re one of my favorites and they love to take a bath.
Nice pose, Allen, showing most of the bird with good catchlight. (as an aside, I recall when I first started in NPN, “catchlight” was a big deal and was consistently mentioned. Not so much anymore; guess it’s taken for granted. But, for me, it was part of my learning in NPN.). Anyway, great background and interesting perch. What’s bark butter? Is that more for eastern birds? Don’t hear about it out west. Do you buy it or make it?
Hi Allen, thank you for the comment!
Bark butter is spreadable suet that I buy from Wild Birds Unlimited but there are many home recipes that I’m sure work well also.
Hi Allen. I’ve bought it from Wild Birds Unlimited as well. Pretty much a combination of Suet and Peanut Butter, I believe. I’ve used it and sometimes buy the pelleted version, but for my birds (and squirrels and raccoons), straight peanut butter and peanuts work just fine.
Really nice, @Allen_Sparks. I love a silky background and an over the shoulder pose with catch light! It looks like your set up is working out nicely. I’m not much of a bird photographer, but I know excellent technique when I see it, and this one is spectacular.
ML
