Downy Woodpecker

Gallery: AvianPosted December 18, 2014219 views15 comments

I've got mixed feelings about this photo, primarily because of the background. I took this on a grey day against a b/g of grey sky and dead orangeish colored leaves, resulting in a dullish b/g. But, I like the pose since it's not what's typically seen of the bird on a tree trunk. I also though about changing the b/g in CS, but don't know how to do that.

Taken with a D4 and 500 mm lens, 1/2000, f/6.3 and Auto ISO at 1400. This is about 2/3 or the original. Richard

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by keith mitchell on December 18, 2014 at 12:02 PM

Hi Richard, think maybe the b/g could do with a little bit of curves to lighten it and a bit of vibrancy to lift that nice chestnut brown I see in it, just a little personal view of course, really like the pose and fine detail on the bird, very nice indeed.

Keith,

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on December 18, 2014 at 12:02 PM

The first thing that struck me was the pose. It certainly isn't what is typical and in my opinion this makes the photo. The background is clean, which is a plus and overall seems okay. The detail in the bird looks good. I like the redness in the branch; without your comment I would have thought there was some sunlight. Overall, I really like this shot.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by David Bogener on December 18, 2014 at 2:32 PM

Interesting image. I love the pose with eye contact and the tail spots on display. I agree that the background does not add to the image and would also be interested if anyone can provide a reference for changing background in photoshop. The whites look good. Perhaps a little more detail in the blacks? Dave

Registered on October 30, 2013, 417 Posts, 1255 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on December 18, 2014 at 3:01 PM

Great detail and color. He stands out from the background nicely also.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on December 18, 2014 at 6:49 PM

I don't mind the background. It is pleasant enough. The image seems to have a bit of a warm cast that is affecting the whites in the breast. In an ideal world, it would have been nice to have a touch more light in the eye. Fill Flash would have been nice to add to the overall image. There appears to be some cloning artifacts just above the branch, just to the right of the bird. Simple enough to clean up. Overall, a pleasing image.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on December 18, 2014 at 10:38 PM

Every thing looks just fine to me Richard,
Sweet Image . . .

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on December 19, 2014 at 3:01 AM

Richard,
You have a wonderful pose here, I think I know what you mean by the background, to my eyes it is a little too dark.
I have taken the liberty of trying some further processing, basically i increased the exposure a tad, and removed some of the noise in the background using the blur tool. Hope you like it

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on December 19, 2014 at 8:52 AM

No problem with any part of this, including the background. I like what Ken has done with his edit.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Sandor on December 19, 2014 at 10:58 AM

Many thanks to all for the comments and suggestions. Ken, you and anyone else are free to re-do my images. The more eyes on it, the better. Ken, ironically, the original capture had a much brighter b/g. I darkened it quite a bit and you lightened the darkened version some. I think the half way point is the "Goldilocks" version.

Richard

Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Sandor on December 19, 2014 at 12:58 PM

Here's a re-do. Richard

Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on December 19, 2014 at 1:57 PM

Richard, I am totally fine with he B in this one...not an issue to me. I like the image overall and nice head turn you managed to get.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Jefferson Silva on December 20, 2014 at 5:17 AM

Nice bird.
I prefer your second post, a little lighter in the background.

Registered on December 18, 2012, 162 Posts, 975 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on December 20, 2014 at 5:53 AM

Richard,
Your re-post is great

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on December 20, 2014 at 2:29 PM

Good detail and a very interesting pose. I love the your re-edit below and think your corrections improve an already solid image.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on December 21, 2014 at 7:10 PM

Really nice detail and an excellent pose. Nice textured perch and complimentary background. Beautiful shot.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments