Satin Bower Birds and edit

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

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144A4036-Recovered
144A4036-Recovered2000×1481 1.48 MB

Original

144A4036.jpg
144A4036.jpg2000×1481 1.47 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

I could hear satin bower birds around the campsite and decided to try and track them down. They are great mimickers and can sound like anything from a chain-saw to a sweet melodic tune. I returned about an hour later without success.

After being slightly disappointed, I was surprised to see both male and female birds at our campsite fire pit. Obviously campers have been feeding, or just left tid bits around. They were very cooperative.

The perch is a branch that was stacked ready to burn.

Specific Feedback

Has the black/blue iridescence of the male been handled OK?

They have purple eyes.

Technical Details

ISO 200 150-600@320mm HH f6.3 1/640

Composite - Female added
Smidge added by way of “generative expand”
Background tamed

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1 Like
2

Fantastic image. The eyes are very striking. I like that you got great eye contact with both the birds. Exposure looks spot on and I really like the low angle and the great background.

3

Excellent, Glennie. I was going to ask about that purple eye in the male-it’s really cool. The female looks a bit more bluish but both eyes are very striking. I think you handled the blacks in the male very well and they set you up to get an excellent composition.

4

Wow, what a beautiful image. The birds are sharp and the colors really show through. Great background and perch.

5

Those eyes!!! Excellent composition, lighting, focus and detail. Only a small question, whether there is a little more detail in the blacks, now that we have such great NR capabilities. But I tend to go too far with pulling up detail in blacks, I think, and this is a BLACK bird, so maybe you should ignore me.

And how typical – you go hunting and come up empty-handed and then the subject taunts you by showing up on its own. So glad you were able to take advantage of it!!

6

Thanks for the nudge Diane! There was plenty, and still is, plenty more detail in the blacks. This bird is incredibly blue-black and shiny so didn’t want to lose too much iridescence.

7

Great looking pair! Nice to see them together and great job on the composite. Nice work on the repost too.

8

Repost looks good!!

1 Like
9

Glennie, I love catching 2 birds in a frame, especially male and female!
Very striking eyes on both, nice poses and eye contact, and an interesting perch.
Blacks look great in the re-post.
Sweet!