Critique Style: Standard
The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.
Feedback Focus: Artistic + Technical
About This Image
I usually don’t see Wrentits out in the open like this; they tend to skulk in the underbrush. I like the addition of the foliage; seems to balance the image. In processing, removed some branches coming up behind the bird. The light is admittedly harsh as the image was taken shortly after noon.
Feedback Requested
Any thought appreciated.
Technical Details
Camera: Canon R5
Lens: 100-500
Focal length: 270 mm
Shutter speed: 1/1000
Aperture: 7.1
ISO:800
Allen, this looks pretty good to me. You got a nice pose which really makes the picture work. The light may be harsh, but the shadows are well controlled. I’ve only seen one of these and that was in the San Diego area. I’m not sure if they ever make it up this far north, but it would seem that the wildlife refuge would be a great place for wanting to hang out.
1 Like
Lovely capture, with good detail in the shadows and an interesting perch and pleasing BG. He looks a bit surprised to have been caught out in the open!
Between the right foot and the piece of dry plant, four branches end, which catches my eye. If those were ones you cloned out, I’d suggest letting them end more irregularly.
1 Like
Great find, Allen. I’ve never seen one of these and had to look it up. I think you handled the harsh light quite nicely, particularly in the bird itself. Those branches have the look of the ones that turn an ugly dull gray as soon as you try to bring them down. The only way I’ve discovered to handle that issue is to go over them with a translucent brown brush picked from somewhere in the frame. However, I only see a couple of small ones that are bright enough that I’d bother with them.
1 Like
Thanks for your comments, @David_Schoen , @Diane_Miller , and @Dennis_Plank . From what I’ve read, the Wrentit is restricted to the western part of Oregon and California. It generally doesn’t stray far from home and I read somewhere that it will not cross the Columbia River into Washington.
Allen,
Excellent capture! Sure, the light may be a little harsh, but the important thing is what is that light doing - and the best part is how the bird’s head in in such lovely light. The feathers and eyeball really pull this all together - and the most important features anyway.
I may not have noticed without Diane’s comment, but I would agree you might want to re-work the right foot. Not sure what happened there. Otherwise, fabulous capture of a species that apparently is a bit elusive!
1 Like
I would rework the areas suggested by the others’ critiques. Always a good bird to find out in the open as this one. I would like a little more room on the LH side, Lighting is handled very well. You have a nice photo and with some tweaks will put it over the top…Jim
1 Like
Thanks @Lon_Overacker and @Jim_Zablotny for your comments. I took out two branches behind the wrentit and four in front of the foliage. The branches Diane mentioned were what was on the original image. I’m not sure what’s wrong with the foot, it looks the same as on the original RAW file. Always happy to make improvements, but not sure what to do here.
Hi Allen
This photograph is well balanced. The Wrentit’s head turn and eye contact are supported by the V framing and the flower’s buds. Nice work.
Peter
1 Like
