Scruffy Eastern Phoebe

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

Phoebe.jpg
Phoebe.jpg1719×2000 586 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

My wife at times regrets that she married a naturalist that like birds a lot. With various sticks and plant parts duck taped to the deck’s railing provides excellent photo ops during migration. While photographing hummingbirds, a very scruffy Eastern phoebe showed up near the oriole feeding station. With no time to change camera settings optimized for flying hummingbirds, I fired away. The lighting is very special for this image and I like how it turned out.

Specific Feedback

What do you think about the overall appearance of this image. Is the bird too crunchy?

Technical Details

Z9 600mm f4 (1/4000sec at F8.0, ISO=6400) DeNoise, Crop for Comp, Microcontrast enhancement with reduction of opacity to keep crispness within reason. My wireless mouse does not play nice with the crop tool and the Wacom stylus handled it perfectly. Thank you @SandyR-B for suggesting this solution…Jim

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2

I do like the lighting and background in this image, Jim. I do think a very minimal softening of the plumage might be nice as it does have a stiff or wiry vibe that I wouldn’t associate with a phoebe.

3

This looks good to me too Jim. Nice pose, details, exposure and BG. I could see a version cropped slightly from the bottom. Well done.

4

Really nicely set up against the background. Very good detail in the plumage. Nice pose. Well done.

5

I like the pose and perch. Detail seems good, doesn’t seem particularly crunchy. The dark green background works well to show off the Phoebe.