Here is a behavioral image of a male and female Red-winged Blackbird at McLain Creek wildlife area. I liked the interaction.
Any concerns about the exposure on the male. It was in the shadows and the light was somewhat harsh.
Iso-400, 600 mm +1.4X, F8, 1600th, tripod, D 500, 75% full frame, Adobe camera raw 10.5, Topaz adjust, TK sharpening action at 5%
Great interaction, David. To my eye, it looks like you could go a bit darker on the male. To me it looks a bit more gray than black. It also looks like there’s a bit of a blue color cast-most visible on the perch. The composition works nicely, though I think a vertical would also work well in this situation, if you have sufficient detail.
I see (and hear) these constantly around my area, but rarely am I able to frame them at eye level. So it’s especially nice for you to have gotten the pair and the interaction. I think your exposure is an excellent baseline, without noticeable clipping of details in the blacks. As to framing, with the female looking back up at the male I would crop more from right to a fat portrait mode without hesitation. I’m guessing the male making the distinctive call during this(?)
