# Red-winged Blackbird pair

**URL:** <https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/red-winged-blackbird-pair/1231>\
**Category:** Image Critiques\
**Tags:** birds\
**Created:** [October 8, 2018, 5:24pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/red-winged-blackbird-pair/1231 "2018-10-08T17:24:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![David\_Schoen](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/david_schoen/32/368_2.png) [@David\_Schoen](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/David_Schoen)\
**Post date:** [October 8, 2018, 5:24pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/red-winged-blackbird-pair/1231/1 "2018-10-08T17:24:48Z")

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Here is a behavioral image of a male and female Red-winged Blackbird at McLain Creek wildlife area. I liked the interaction.

### What technical feedback would you like if any?

Any concerns about the exposure on the male. It was in the shadows and the light was somewhat harsh.

### What artistic feedback would you like if any?

### Any pertinent technical details:

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%

 ![RWBB-pair-2-copy](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/2X/b/bf2211a7b0f8ef7a49b0249af5df4d7afd89c9f0.jpeg)

##### **_You may only download this image to demonstrate post-processing techniques._**

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**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\
**Post date:** [October 8, 2018, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/red-winged-blackbird-pair/1231/2 "2018-10-08T17:44:30Z")

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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.

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**Author:** ![Bill\_Leggett](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/bill_leggett/32/1763_2.png) [@Bill\_Leggett](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Bill_Leggett)\
**Post date:** [October 8, 2018, 6:35pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/red-winged-blackbird-pair/1231/3 "2018-10-08T18:35:18Z")

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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(?)