Red-winged Blackbird

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

20240601-Red-winged Blackbird-4-CR3-Edit.jpg
20240601-Red-winged Blackbird-4-CR3-Edit.jpg1979×1305 708 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

I’m somewhat ambivalent about this one. I like seeing the feet and the bug adds to the image, but something-not sure what-seems off. Same locale as the previous Wood Duck.

Specific Feedback

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Technical Details

Canon R5; 100-500 with 1.4 TC at 700 mm; 1/3200 at f10; ISO 2500

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2

Hi Allen. I can see a couple of issues. The image quality doesn’t seem up to your usual standards-it almost looks pixelated, like it was a huge crop. The more minor issue is that when you did the selection on the bird and increased the luminosity on it, you picked up some of the background between the wing and body, between the legs, between a couple of the primaries, and at the top of the head and made some bright background patches. Almost all the quick selection tools screw that up. The best one I’ve found thus far is the object selection they’ve added to the tool bar in PS (the square icon) which does a pretty decent job, though it still requires some cleanup.

If you’re doing it in LR, after making the mask, you can click on the little thumbnail mask and + and - boxes will appear underneath. You can use those and any of the masking tools to modify the mask. I’ve found that if I’m increasing luminosity on my subject, it works best to make sure I have none of the background included, but it’s not as important to have the subject completely selected all the way to the edges of the feathers, so I’ll use a small brush with a bit of feathering to remove any of the background that accidentally got selected.

The pose and bug definitely make this one worth spending some time on to get the most out of it.

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3

Hi Allen, really great catch with the bird flying with the bug. Composition looks good and I agree with Dennis on taking his advised steps to improve image quality.

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4

Hi Allen
The Red-wing Blackbird with that bug, make this a photograph worth posting.
Peter

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5

Great story for sure

Perhaps a bit oversaturated and pixelated

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