Greater Spotted Woodpecker.

Nikon D200.
Sigma 50-500
1/60 sec
iso500
Taken in my very old mates garden.

Nicely done, though I automatically turn my head sideways when I view it :-) I might be tempted to try adding a little magenta with levels or curves. Tristan

Thanks Tristan ,i don't fully understand about adding colours i am trying to get my photography to a decent level without to much change on my computor i am sure it does improve the final image but i do not won't to get to reliant on it.

Thanks Keith.

Hi Keith,

What Tristan has done has improved it IMO. The original has a Yellow colour cast that is still there. I hope you do not mind but I have ownloaded it and adjusted the colour balance slider Yeloow/Blue +48 to Blue. A levels adjustment and bit more USM.

All in all a nice shot, worth ironing out the little niggles.

Regards

Rob

Spot on Rob.

Sorry - but I don't see anything wrong with the original as I was there whilst this series was being taken. They were all done in the "yellow " part of the day and that's how they should stay in my opinion. I reallybcannot see a world of change in the shots posted and reposted.
Individuals ideas are ok and we all have our views, but they should not vere from shots done "as was " in my view..
It can certainly confuse those new to the game, as i know Kieth is and i know he won't mind me saying that..
Cheers
JR

Hi Keith/John,

I certainly did'nt mean to cause confusion, perhaps I misunderstood Keith's post in reply to Tristan, when he said he did not understand adding colour, I took it that he had processed the image and not "seen" a yellow colour cast. If that is how it was shot, then fair enough, but if it was mine I would process it the way I have to balance it out and not be so yellow, because to me it does not look right. But as you say each individual has there own take on colour,composition, etc, etc.

Regards

Rob

Hi Rob
It could well be that KM has his monitor set up similar to mine.
I will have to lash out and get it calibrated
Cheers
JR

I have to say that I thought it had a colour cast as well and that Rob's adjustment has improved an already nice shot. I understand that this may well be naturally greeny/yellow due to the light or the tree canopy's effects, but if it looks wrong people will always judge it that way whether it is or not. If you take your shots to please yourself then that is fine, but if you want other people to agree with you or you are selling them, then it would seem sensible to me to get them to look as 'correct' as possible. Whether we like it or not, our shots are judged against those of people who can and do make sure that they look right in photoshop.
Anyway it is a good shot. You're on the right forum to learn a great deal Keith and if John is already helping you then you are on a winner.
Eric

brilliant shot, the original seemed slightly soft and with a colour cast, Rob's reposted seems just right, as for colour casts though the camera will record the cast it is worth remembering that our eyes compensate for it so an image with a cast is not necessarily "as seen"

Thank you all for your comments i find them most enlightening and will take them in them on board even though i can't see all the things that are pointed out.

Thanks to you all.

Hi Kieth,

Nice composition and a great image to boot!

Most unusual shot of an upside down woodpecker and an interesting post too.
I must say that I prefer the shot without the colour cast though.

Thanks ,Paul and Paula.
Paula sorry but in my humble opinion there is not a colour cast on my original picture just the natural colours reflected from the Hazel hedge in the b.g. and just the light of the day giving me what i think is a natural picture.
But all comments very much appreciated.

Thanks Keith.