Curious Warbler w/REPOST

Very nice pose, Cheryl. The fill flash is quite evident, in particular on the tree trunk, but pleasing enough. I love the colors and the details of the body of the bird.
Mauro

Thank you Mauro. So do I fix the problem with flash exposure comp?

Overall I like this shot Cheryl. A very nice comp a pleasing BG. I do not use flash, so I can't help you very much with your question. However, you might try turning down the output of the flash unit a bit to give a softer more natural look to the images with flash.

Hi Cheryl,
I like the nuthatch like pose and your comp here. I agree with Mauro that it looks a little overflashed. What you need to do is use negative flash exposure comp. I usually use between -1.0 and -2.0 but experiment with your gear and see what seems to work best with it. My last couple of newsletters on my website have addressed just this issue (how much negative flash exposure comp to use when using fill flash). One of them can be accessed at http://www.trogontours.net/november2010 and the other at http://www.trogontours.net/january2011

I agree about dialing back the fill flash a bit, but even with to much here it is a neat shot of this Yellow-throated Warbler.

Thanks guys. I will practice and Thanks Nate I will look that up

I took this image back to the camera raw and started over. I softened the contrast. Is it any better? Looking at other flash shots that I did a flash - exp. comp they are defiantely better. I really like this pose so I hope the image is now more appealing? Thanks and Thanks Nate that article was very helpful... great stuff thanks for sharing it with us all.

I think the repost does look better and it's a great pose

Very appealing image Cheryl, especially the colours and wonderful pose :^)

Still have a way to go before I begin learning how to make the most of my flash, but shots like this give me further encouragement as to the results that can be achieved.

Kind regards,

Ashley

I don't use flash and know virtually nothing about it but I like the shot a lot Cheryl. Wonderful pose and detail.

Nice shot Cheryl, the repost looks very good to me.

Very nice use of the flash on the repost, Chery. I always have difficulty with using mine.

The image itself is very well composed. Great pose and comp - think there are some nuthatch genes in this warbler.

Sweet, Cheryl. The flash worked well.

Although I like both images, I do prefer the repost, Cheryl. Perhaps the absence of shadow and uniformity of illumination is what reveals the flash for both. Adjustment of flash power is a good idea. Appropriate post-processing can help too. The background is fine in both of your images. I routinely equip my camera with a flash. However, I only use it as a last resort: darkness that exceeds the iso capability of my 1D Mark IV; the need for a catchlight (I see a tiny one in your image); to overcome annoying shadows; to help freeze motion or show iridescence (e.g. hummingbirds). The way a flash often disturbs the bird is a major disadvantage of flash for me. I sometimes use a better beamer to improve reach of the flash. However, I've missed some good close shots because the beamer was aimed for a longer distance.