Repost:
Original:
Critique Style Requested: Standard
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I wandered out with the birding setup this morning and caught a couple of Towhees flying into the honeysuckle in a raised bed. I got a few shots there but the perch and background were horrible. One of them was kind enough to fly over to a large Tall Oregon Grape in our “hedge row” (we think they may have a nest buried there) and let me get some shots.
Specific Feedback
There was a twig from the branch it’s perched on that came up and partially covered the bird’s face. I think the remove tool worked very well to get rid of it and replace the feathers it covered. I’m interested in comments on the composition and the background.
Technical Details
Sony A1, FE 200-600 + 1.4 TC @ 840 mm, handheld, f/9, 1/640, iso 5000. Preprocessing in DxO PureRaw 5, processing in LR & PS CC. Taken at 7:19 this morning under overcast skies.
What a neat little bird. You’ve captured him/her beautifully against a very colourful background. Blacks and whites are handled nicely and there is no trace of the twig removal.
I’m going through a “more breathing room” around subjects phase at the moment and I wonder if there is another version of this image with a little more background?
Nice catch Dennis. Good focusing to get the bird sharp behind that large branch. A real pretty eye. I like the composition and background. Cropping looks good to me.
What stood out for me, in my initial view, was the great setting, Dennis. Good detail in the towhee and the processing is good. A very attractive bird image.
Very nicely done, Dennis. The depth of field is just right.
Thanks @Don_Peters @Allen_Brooks @Allen_Sparks @Glenys_Passier
Glennie: I do have more room all around, but the background started getting messy to the left and right and rather than fight it, I chose to crop a bit more tightly. Here’s the original frame just run through DxO PureRaw:
Thank you for posting @Dennis_Plank . I can see why you chose to crop in a little. It’s such a lovely image. Would you consider a little “Content Aware” Fill on that RHS branch?
A branch cutting across a bird to my eye can enhance the image by making the bird more secretive-looking, and this is a fine example of this. The sharpness of the towhee is great (no traces of twig removal). I do like @Glenys_Passier 's wider version too - except for the vertical branch along the left side. That version shows more of the attractive habitat.
@Glenys_Passier @Mike_Friel: Here’s a repost with the right side put back in. I used a linear gradient on that side to reduce texture, clarity and a trifle of negative dehaze to soften the vertical stem there a bit more. Other than that it’s pretty similar processing.
2 Likes
