Redwinged Blackbird & Repost

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

-20250108-_A1_0911-Ridgefield-DxO_DeepPRIME 3-Edit-Edit
-20250108-_A1_0911-Ridgefield-DxO_DeepPRIME 3-Edit-Edit2048×1472 1.37 MB

Repost

-20250108-_A1_0911-Ridgefield-DxO_DeepPRIME 3-Edit.jpg
-20250108-_A1_0911-Ridgefield-DxO_DeepPRIME 3-Edit.jpg2048×1472 1.4 MB

Original

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

This is one from early this year and early in the day at one of our not-too-distant wildlife refuges. I was looking back at early sessions this year because I haven’t been doing much bird photography of late and found this one in the files. It was pretty underexposed but none of the blacks were completely lost and I think it responded pretty well to bringing it up in processing.

Specific Feedback

How is the detail in the blacks? The clump of cattails to the left of the bird wasn’t as out of focus as the one on the right, so I played with them to de-emphasize them without removing them completely and I’m interested in how you think that worked.

Technical Details

Sony A1, FE 200-600 + 1.4 TC @ 840 mm , from car window, f/9, 1/800, iso 8000. Denoise with Dxo PureRaw 5, further processing in LR & PS CC. Cropped to 5920x4256. Nothing done to the red in the epaulets. Taken January 8th at 8:28 a.m.

Critique Template

Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.

  • Vision and Purpose:
  • Conceptual:
  • Emotional Impact and Mood:
  • Composition:
  • Balance and Visual Weight:
  • Depth and Dimension:
  • Color:
  • Lighting:
  • Processing:
  • Technical:
2

Dennis:
This is really clean and sharp for iso 800 .
Real nice background and for ground interests. Really crisp and clear image.
Nice and dark blacks like you appreciate the most.
Great job!

David

3

Hi Dennis, love the pose that really elicits the energy of these guys. Background sets off the bird really well and the cattail perch is great. Nice blacks also. Well done.

4

Dennis: We don’t have these nearby but I’ve lived places where they were plentiful and they have been one of my favorite birds to watch and listen to. I can hear this guy calling. Blacks look pretty darn good to me. Top notch shot. >=))>

5

Dennis-I really love these Red Winged Blackbirds, and you’ve captured one here with a great pose. The BG is clean and uncluttered, making the bird stand out. Fine work with this one.

6

A beautiful image well seen, captured and processed. I love the deep blacks and the detail has come up a treat. The background is gorgeous.

If I was to get nit picky I might try to reduce the opacity of that one rush on the bottom edge just next to the main stem. But that’s really picky.

7

This one looks good as presented. For a common bird, these guys always provide excellent poses while expanding those red feathers. It looks fine as presented and this one reminds me of Spring…Jim

8

Thank you for your comments @Allen_Sparks @Ted_Forman @Jim_Zablotny @David_Schoen @Bill_Fach and @glennie. Particular thanks go to Glennie for her input on that one out of focus cattail head. Please see the repost.

1 Like
9

11/10 for the repost!!

10

I just saw this – excellent job on the blacks and nice tweak on the RP. The environment is lovely!