White-Crowned Sparrow with Prey

[Dennis_Plank]

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

I’ve spent a few hours in my blind the last few days and while the variety of birds has been pretty low, the activity has been moderately high. I’ve only had two of these visit and today’s didn’t give me a shot, but I liked this one from Sunday.

Specific Feedback

I have been moving toward looser crops over the last couple of years, but the details in the insect made me crop this one fairly tightly. Is it too tight? Composition?

Technical Details

Sony A1, FE 200-600 + 1.4 TC @ 591 mm, tripod with gimbal head, f/9, 1/640, iso 3200. Preprocessed in DxO PureRaw 5 for noise reduction. Processed in LR & PS CC. Erased an out of focus fence post going right up the middle of the frame. Other than that, a touch of micro-contrast boost to the bird and brightening the face and beak a touch with a soft brush. Cropped to 5046x3314. Taken at 8:26 a.m. on June 1st.

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[Dave_Douglass]

I like the subject and crop just fine. I wouldn’t change a thing. Very nice capture.

[Sandy_Richards-Brown]

Dennis, this looks great as is. Sweet head-turn, lovely juicy bug, bright eye, and clean BG.
Not a nit from here!

[Allen_Brooks]

Nice look, Dennis, at the sparrow and its prey. I don’t think this is too tight, and while this is a nice background, I don’t adding more would improve the photo.

[Allen_Sparks]

Hi Dennis, I like the crop and seeing a sparrow with prey is a special treat. Critical focus is where it needs to be. Pleasing background. One of my favorite sparrows. Well done.