Blackbird

So different than our Blackbird here in the states.  Love the yellow eye ring.  You handled the blacks well.  Sharon

Cool looking bird.  The image as presented looks like the colors are washed out.  Putting a Levels Adjustment Layer on the image, moving the Black point in to 17 and the White point to 230 provides a much richer color palette and still maintains nice detail in the blacks.  

Thanks both.
Kieth
Not sure how to do that in Paint Shop Pro but I,ll have a play with levels
Cheers
John

Kieth
Had a go at interpreting what you suggest into the sofware I use and  I may have over done it. Idid adjust the  output levels to what you suggested. Not done it like that before so we'll see
#Cheers
John

John:
I think your re-post looks much better.  

Keith
 

The great thing about photographing the common species is you get lots of practice for when you do spot the rare ones! I think your repost looks much better! I would like to have a little more room for his tail, if this were mine.

Hi John
I think you did a good job on the blacks and maybe the black levels could have been split between your first posting and second posting, anyway need work.
Peter

You did very well with the contrast on this black bird. I like the "catch eye" and ring.  My only nit would be to darken the bg just a bit.

Nice clean image with a good comp John. Nice to see a more common species which often gets overlooked. Nice techs as well.

Great handling of the blacks! I don't know the bird; how true to life is this? Reading Keith's recommendation, I suspect he has hit the need I sensed.

John,
In a past life I was very familiar with Blackbirds, I agree the OP looks a little light in the blacks, but think the repost might be a little to much the other way.
Whatever it is a great capture

Thanks all- Appreciated.
I reckon  I overdid the  second post a bit. Amazing what a small tweak can make !
Cheers
JohnR

Really nice John, I prefer the repost. Love that yellow eye ring and the Blackbird has great sharpness to it. Cool image!

This pose really speaks of his kinship to the American Robin.  A little tight on the tail, but I really like the alert looking bird.  Repost definitely my choice.