More Snow and Sparrows

I'd say that the hard work paid off. You have snowflakes in a wide range of focus positions that, to me, give the image a very dynamic feel, it is as if you can feel the snow falling and blowing in the wind. The detail on the sparrow is excellent and the light is very natural (the snowflakes on its beak a plus!). The pine needless and snow on the tree lack a bit of contrast in my view, but I'm not sure that there is much you can do about that, my only suggestion would be to crop a little from the bottom, but then the shape may become a bit weird. I hope this helps!

Perfect as is and Christmas Card ready!

Hi Jim, for me what your image illustrates is that it does not need to be exotic to be excellent. These humble birds are often forgotten, however (and this is the part that just elevates it from the norm) couple with the 'perch' and the environment, conditions/scene they all add up to create a very pleasing image.

If I look at both images on two screens side by side at the larger size, there are some subtle changes in the latest one which are I do think are better, although :

- I prefer the brighter snow on the original and you can still extract the finer detail (retaining the brighter 'colouring') without it looking too flat and grey
- The cooler BKG in the second one is better, perhaps a tad more cooler, but personal pref
- The snow in the original looks more 'swept in, the second looks gently falling, either works, great backdrop
- Prefer the side on of the original, but the space around the subject in the second, LOL

Just my thoughts, irrespective this is still a very pleasing and enjoyable image to view.

TFS
Steve

Hi Jim:
I do like the mood of these images in the snow. The perch is great and the falling snow adds a lot.
For me this image is a bit on the flat side. With all the processing you performed, when looking at the snow (in the histogram) it isn't quite white. Here's a version with one adjustment, a levels adjustment layer. All I did was push the white point into 223 and the black point to 15. See what you think

Hi thank you for all the comments. Keith, I was checking out the levels on my original tiff file and noticed the white point needed adjusting. Pushing that white up seems to have done the trick. I also tweaked up the brightness a tad too. Once again thank you ...................Jim

That's where it needs to be Jim.

Jim,
I actually prefer the original, as I am a fan of unstreched and muted colour where appropriate

For me what puts this above the other images you posted of this species is that the head turn is much better here. The reposted image is better, particularly the brighter snow, I could go either way on the bird. In any event, it's a lovely shot Jim.

I like 'em all, but I think this one is my favorite, with the snow on the face and in the air.
This has a nice, quiet mood. As an alternative, I think "whitening" the snow just a bit in curves increasing the contrast in the light areas to retain the texture, would give you a more "cheery" version.

Not much to add, except that I like the image a lot, both the original and Keith's version. Although the vertical image works well here, slightly more space on the right would have made it even more attractive, but this is only a minor critic, since I really think you did an excellent job here , cheers, Hans