Deal Breaker?

Gallery: AvianPosted March 11, 2011136 views4 comments

I took this image while experimenting with camera settings and set ups around the bird feeder. While I was trying to get the bird perched on the cedar limb, in this pose the cardinal is actually standing on the top of the feeder. So far I haven't seen one land on the branch so it is probably going to have to go. I particularly like the colors,the sharpness of the female cardinal, and the slight "attitude" she seems to display.

My question is: Is the OOF cedar branch in the foreground a deal breaker.

Techs: Canon 40D with 100-400 IS at 400, 1/3200 sec at f/5.6, iso 800, hand held. Contrast, + sharpening & noise reduction in CS5 camera raw.

Comments

4 comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on March 11, 2011 at 10:42 AM

I don't know if it's a deal breaker, but it looks like maybe you could crop a little bit off the bottom so as to have less of the OOF branch and still have room for the whole tail, maybe. I wonder if that would help.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on March 11, 2011 at 7:50 PM

Nice pose from this bird, Larry. The bird has her crest up too. However, looking at this image it seems to me that the top half or so is really outstanding. The bottom half detracts from the aesthetics: OOF cedar; partially hidden legs and feet and tail. I'd be tempted to make this more of a portrait shot by cropping quite a bit more.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Reitz on March 11, 2011 at 10:01 PM

Steve, I like your suggestion. Thanks

Registered on September 7, 2007, 32 Posts, 335 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on March 12, 2011 at 5:02 PM

The repost is certainly an improvement, Larry.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments