Morning Oriole

Hello Howard - difficult question. I am tempted to choose for the first, but they are not all that comparable. What I do like about the first is that some more of the environment is shown. The 2nd post emphasizes the subject more, however I feel at the same time that there's a bit too much emptiness in the upper part of the image for my taste. All in all I'd go for the first image. That all said, they both are great obviously , cheers, Hans

Hi Howard... I like them both, but if I had to choose it would be the first. I like the look up and out of frame, and the inclusion of the leaves on the first makes me wonder if the oriole is looking at something further up the branch, etc. Both are nice!

This is nice, but I too prefer the first version.

I like this better, without a doubt. I love the head turn and eye contact, which really shows the personality of the bird. My one nit is the top feels a bit empty. Perhaps a little crop off the top?

I happen to like this one better but I might be inclined to crop a little off the top and maybe left to make it more of a vertical crop. I like this one better because of the look from the bird with eye contact and the pose with both feet on different branches. The larger image has some good feather detail on those difficult yellows. Nice job getting this shot, way to go.

The light in this image is just awesome, Howard. And I really like the slight head tilt. A nice background that really compliments this Oriole. Superb.

I cannot pick which I like best. They are both really, really nice images.

Love this image Howard. The pose is great like the little tilt of the head. Wonderful detail and colors and the background really compliments the Oriole.

Ray

Howard, this is the kind of shot which I think of as a wall hanger. it has atmosphere produced by light, color and background contrast. On top of that is a framework of the bird's legs and the branches - diamonds and V's. I much prefer this highly saleable image if you want. Excellent work!

The two images are quite different. I think the first version is a more classic, almost traditional composition. This second view is a bit more fun, in your face sort of pose. Both are equally strong in their own way. How's that for non-committal? BTW, nice light, background and sharpness!

Howard, I just looked at this again & I wonder how cropping a tiny bit off the top would work.

Hi Roger,
If I had the Mark IV with the extra res I would consider it. But I work within the constraints of a 10.1MB DSLR
Note the 5.6MB of this post. Further cropping would degrade the image too much I'm afraid.
I plan to upgrade by the end of next year..

They are both excellent but I prefer the better eye contact in this one, love the comp as well with the forked branch, lovely shot Howard

Howard- I think Gary said it well and I'll have to echo his non-committal. Wonderful light with this image as in the first, but here I love the gaze and the drama created by the bird straddling the branches.

I think they both make for lovely images Howard, so I refuse to choose ;^)

The morning light and blurred background lend well to bot pictures. Although you might have intentionally been going for a more warm and softish look, if this were mine I'd certainly apply some some selective sharpening to the Oriole as well as it's perch.

Whatever the case, both are enjoyable pictures to look at!

Excellent shot. I personally like this one better. Just because of the pose. Well done.

Great shot Howard. Love the background, the pose and the look of curiosity on the face of the bird.
May

Love it Howard. The pose, the light and that face oohh.