Virginia's Warbler

Gallery: AvianPosted June 30, 201089 views9 comments

Canon 7D, 500mm + 1.4x TC, monopod.

1/640, f/5.6, ISO 400

I managed, after countless shots with nothing but branches, leaves, and occasionally the tail of a departing bird, to get a Virginia's Warbler in the frame and sharp. The image is not without issues, I had to bring the exposure up a full stop in ACR, as I couldn't keep up with exposure compensation as the bird moved between light and dark. This is also a larger crop than I typically like--I try not to go below 50% and prefer to be above 60%--this is 35% of original (6.3 of 18MP). Nonetheless, I'm very pleased to have anything of this tiny species that never stops moving.

Critiques and comments are appreciated. Please view larger version if possible.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by denise ippolito on June 30, 2010 at 10:06 AM

Cute pose and pleasing BG. I am not fond of the large leaf at the top but it isn't touching the bird so it's not bad. I think the perch is a bit large for the bird-but it does look darling standing on it.

Registered on December 17, 2009, 202 Posts, 1529 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on June 30, 2010 at 12:02 PM

thanks for your comment, Denise, I wondered how people would feel about the leaves. for me, I like the way they sort of frame the bird and add a splash of color; I think that without them the shot would be a bit too plain.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on June 30, 2010 at 1:41 PM

Brian,
I love the leaves. Please don't remove them. I think it frames the shot perfectly. Your issues are noted but this is a very difficult species to get. I don't have one and may never get one this good. I don't mind the perch being rather large either. It shows me how small this little guy really is. The soft yellowish green background is perfectly complimentary for this species. You even got some catch light in the eye. Nice image Brian.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on June 30, 2010 at 1:53 PM

Challenging light indeed, Brian! I like the final result: i like how the bird emerges from the clear BG. I like the leaves as well: to me, they complete the image.
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on June 30, 2010 at 9:40 PM

Lovely in every way!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 30, 2010 at 10:35 PM

Sweet shot, Brian. It looks like you had plenty of range in the RAW file. I don't see any artifacts from increasing the exposure. Excellent detail and a very neat pose. I certainly wouldn't complain about getting this one.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on July 1, 2010 at 12:20 PM

Brian,

Awesome perch and I like the splash of green. I would have preffered to move the camera a little to the right to get some additional branch/greenery as the empty space on the left is a little to barren for my taste.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on July 2, 2010 at 1:48 AM

Beautiful bird. Your image held up to the large crop very well. I like the leaves.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Dottie Short on July 2, 2010 at 8:45 AM

Nice job I admire your patience. Amazingly sharp considering the large crop.

Registered on April 12, 2010, 61 Posts, 375 Comments