The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I visited a wetlands boardwalk area yesterday morning hoping to spot one of my favorite birds, the Prothonotary Warbler. I eventually found a male and female pair checking out a nesting site. I waited 90 minutes from the first encounter for them to return and get these photos. The female is shown on the stump they are checking out.
I saw the Towhee earlier singing and perched off the ground which was a treat.
Specific Feedback
All these shots were taken under the canopy of trees at the wetlands. Any thoughts on how I rendered the rather dark setting? I think a darker setting is advantageous when photographing the male prothonotary - they tend to glow brightly in direct sunlight.
Technical Details
Canon R7, 200-800mm, monopod
first image: ISO 4000, f9, 1/2000s @ 570mm
second image: ISO 4000, f9, 1/500s @481mm
third image: ISO 4000, f9, 1/500s @707mm
Processed in DXO PureRaw 4 and Photoshop
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Wonderful captures! The Towhee is unique, at least to me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of our similar Spotted/Rufous-sided sing. They are not common, at least in the places I manage to get to, and mostly hide in the bushes. The Warblers are stunning. The male does look like he could be fluorescent in sunlight. The colors and tonalities in this subdued lighting look excellent. Yellows and reds are difficult to render well with our sensors – or, more properly, with some of our color profiles.
The female has the same well-handled yellows and I love the visually interesting environment. I’m a bit bothered by the leaf behind her, though. It is pretty, which is part of the problem. I wonder about toning it down, although it would be tedious to separate from the BG for a mask. It would be fairly easy to prune, though. But it is lovely, in any case.
Nice capture of the warblers, Allen. My target bird last year at Magee Marsh, but only saw one and it was in dense brush, not open like these. These are beautiful images. The singing Towhee looks good as well; nice singing pose and nice clean background.
All three images are excellent, Allen. I’ve never seen the prothonotary in real life and these images are both beautiful. The Towhee is a nice treat. I get our version in the summer coming to my drips/pools and in the winter if it snows enough to cover its normal forage, but it’s nice to see the eastern version in full throat. I think you handled the shaded area quite nicely.
I love the Towhee! What a cool pose. I am new to birding, and first encountered these last summer in Colorado. Where I was hiking they tended to be hiding in the bushes, mostly on the ground. So to me, an inexperienced birder, this is a unique image. Love it.
The feather detail on the male warbler is impressive. I agree about the image with the female, the leaf right behind her tail is a little distracting. But still a gorgeous bird portrait, nonetheless.
Excellent colors, processing, no issues at all for me with the lighting, it’s all working well.
Beautiful job, thank you for sharing!
Allan, really excellent! Fine detail, poses, and glowing colours.
I’d personally clean up a bit with the second image - leaf behind the tail gone, the OOF branch behind gone, and possibly also the thin branches.
Lovely series, as always.
Allen, superb, and what a great warbler. I wish I’d seen one in my short stay in your country. I did see Eastern Towhees in the yard, and will post one as it really is a smart creature. Would welcome your critique.
Allen: there are no negatives for any of the photos. The bright yellows are well controlled and the birds pop against their backgrounds. All three could be wall hangers.
