The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
We had some fog again this morning. It demanded high ISO and a slow SS and shooting from a sturdy tripod (and a lot of luck) gave me the stability I needed to frame the little bullets.
Specific Feedback
All comments welcome!
Technical Details
Same specs for both (M exposure targeted at the whites). SS is hard to read-- 1/90 sec. (I love that tripod – and the 20 fps that lets me catch a still split second – if there is one). Minor global tonal tweaks in LR. Into PS for Topaz Denoise and very minor cloning cleanup and edge burning.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
I absolutely love the colors here Diane. That golden BG really makes a nice complementary setting for this beautiful bird. The colors of the bird and the details are great, especially for 1/90s. The look in the eye on the first image is excellent. Yummm.
Excellent, Diane. I like both poses. The perch in the first stayed in focus a bit better, but the bird in the second has a wonderful pose. It’s always difficult for me to remember to do it but it would be really easy to shoot a stack of the perch after getting the bird. I think I’ve remembered to do it two or three times when I was shooting birds on a setup perch that insisted it wanted to be at an angle.
I’m in full agreement with @Ed_Williams on the BG colors. The little guy sticks out and shows his own colors. It appears he is looking right at you just before he takes off. What @Dennis_Plank says about shooting a stack of the branch after the little guy takes off is a great idea. I’ll try to remember that as well. In the second shot, the blur is really hard to see on my screen, until blown up. He sees
his next meal and is ready to take off. Thanks
Both of these are gorgeous, Diane. That soft background is awesome. I think I like the first one best, but both are wonderful. Interesting idea that @Dennis_Plank has about stacking the stick afterwards. I’ll have to give that a try sometime.
Both really nice; sharp detail (amazing at 1/90) and pleasing background. The second shot, showing the underside, would make for a nice plate in a field guide.
The first one is sweet with that slight head turn. BG is perfect for the blue gray feathers on the nuthatch. I think the subject deserves some shelled peanuts for providing some wonderful poses. Well done…Jim
Oh lord those little bird butts! Love them - so floofy and cute. And they are so fast that you’re to be congratulated on your skills. Great light, bg and poses. Did you bribe it??
The feet are positioned so perfectly in the first one. And that look! Like hey human, what’s up. I love the primaries and the tail lining up with the branch. Gives it a nice bit of organization and pattern that we love so much. The second is a coiled-spring of energy with even more coverts on display. Oh how I love these little honkers.
Thanks, @Ed_Williams, @Dennis_Plank, @SkipsPics, @David_Bostock, @Allen_Brooks, @Jim_Zablotny and @Kris_Smith! Dennis, I’ve done that stacking just after trick before but didn’t think of it that morning – was probably in hot pursuit of the little guy. (I have too many perches – need to simplify.) Sometimes I’ll also think to move the camera a little to get a “pano” if I realize the subject was too close to an edge. Easy to hold the same focus as I use back button focus to decouple it from the shutter button.
Kris, better than bribery – I have them on retainer.
Very nice captures of these elusive, nervous little guys. Mine tend to always be working the tree trunks. I like that you caught it on a branch. To me, that first pose is a “wall hanger”.
Wonderful capture Diane. Love these little birds and their “yank” “yank” call. Love the first pose and the BG is very complimentary. Such hard birds to catch with a camera. Well done.
