Over the Shoulder Look

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

20240423-Northern Flicker-CR3-Edit.jpg
20240423-Northern Flicker-CR3-Edit.jpg1825Ă—1461 1.11 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

Another image from Central Park (NYC) where the lighting presents a challenge.

Specific Feedback

Any thoughts appreciated. Your advice is always helpful.

Technical Details

Canon R5; 100-500 with 1.4 TC at 700 mm; 1/1000 at f10, +1EV; ISO 2000

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1 Like
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Nice shot. I think the subject and its BG are a nice color combination. I also find the “over the shoulder” pose pleasing. The jury’s out for me on the little green tuft on the left. I always enjoy shooting these cool flickers but they haven’t been around here for a while now. I am patiently awaiting their return.

1 Like
3

Allen, This pose is my favorite for birds, as the feather detail on the back is often not seen otherwise.
Fine image - tack sharp, great pose, and a bit of environment. The perch is pretty unremarkable, so leaving in the OOF leaves adds a lot of interest. I think others will prefer some removed, but I like this just as you have posted it.

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4

She is gorgeous!! I love these birds. So energetic and striking in their plumage. Am also on the fence about the OOF stuff, but it does add a lot of information as to where she lives. Great patterns on show here and a nice catchlight, too. Soft dappled light is the bomb for this kind of thing. Super catch.

1 Like
5

I like this, Allen. Great job keeping the entire bird in focus with this pose-that’s not a small bird. I’m in favor of retaining the leaves. I don’t find them distracting and they are identifiable as an oak which adds to the image in my opinion. The upper branch does a really nice job of framing the flicker. On my screen, the flicker does seem slightly oversaturated, but the light you had might have contributed to that.

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6

Gorgeous!!! Super sharpness and detail, wonderful pose! I love the OOF leaves. I’m not wild about the bright area in the LL corner. I would be tempted to select it and copy a patch from the UL corner, or at least darken it.

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7

This one is really good Allen. I love the yellow colors overall. Great focus on the entire bird with really nice plumage. I also really like the slightly OOF leaves in the BG that help frame the main attraction. I think it would help if you toned down the LLC some, but definitely not a deal breaker.

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8

Thanks @Dave_Douglass , @SandyR-B , @Kris_Smith , @Dennis_Plank , @Diane_Miller , and @Ed_Williams for your kind comments. I debated about the OOF leaves, but felt they gave some balance and framing. I agree with the comments on the LLC; it would be an easy fix.

9

Nice catch Allen. Really like the pose and being able to see the backside of the bird so well. These are real beauties. Agree with suggestions above and I would keep the oof leaves on the left.

1 Like
10

Flickers are a favorite of mine, Allen. Nice catch. I agree that the OOF on the left helps to balance the scene and it doesn’t bother me at all. Great image.

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11

Hi Allen
Love the feather detail and eye contact. My only nit and it is a smell one is the LLC, hot spot.
Peter

1 Like