Snowy Portrait + Repost

The first things I notice about this visually are the black bill of the bird in the black frame; then I notice the bird's eye. Just a thought, but would reduction in the width of that black frame perhaps put the first focus on the eye, which is where I think it "should" be, but as I was writing that, I realized I shouldn't be thinking "should". It's your picture; I'm just viewin' it.

The bill would ordinarly be a leading line back to the black pupil of the eye, into the eye of the viewer; and all of that would have been perfect, had the frame not pulled my eye away. I have no clue as to why it is we see so many images on these NPN forums with thick, black frames. I've never seen anything like it, and I've been on so many forums and seen so many images over the past four years, you wouldn't believe it.

That said and sometimes we have to discharge negative emotion, trying to ignore that frame, the sharpness of the feathers is wonderful, especially handheld at 1/500s. That is incredible condidering the focal length. I assume you either are a young person or that you don't drink cofee or alcohol. Your hand is a lot steadier than mine, dude.

There is this whisp of white that transits between the head and the back of the bird that, I think, balances against the beak dynamically.

I also like the empty space on the right which gives the mind an opportunity to consider what this bird may be looking to go after over there.

Nice image and one that absorbed my attention.

Postscript: I just looked at the large view, and the frame isn't there. I like that much more better :)

John, thanks for your comments. The black frame is by no means a part of the image, and was used only to show the image better in the smaller version and to help focus the viewer as to what is and what isn't in the frame....sometimes I use white too. If you consider 51 young, then yes, I'm young. I have 1 cup of coffee a day, and drink wine regularly with meals. The steadiness has come over the years with lots and lots of practice.

Nice portrait, Doug, and handheld at that. Ft Desoto is really great since you can get very close to the birds.

Nice detail and composition for this head and shoulders portrait. I might go very slightly darker to bring out more texture on the crown.

A repost with Richards suggestions.

Sweet close-up Doug I like the re-post better. NIce eye contact and details.

Ken Archer

This looks good to me, Doug. I think Rich's suggestion was a good one and prefer your repost.