I think this style of image with the bird very small in the frame works great, but for me, this particular image doesn't quite work for several reasons.
Firstly, and the first thing that struck me, was the image has a very pronounced magenta colour cast.
Secondly, I think the placement of the bird is particularly important in images such as this, and in that respect I find the bird just a bit too central.
Thirdly, the size of the bird is quite substantially over-powered by the branch the bird is standing on. I'd much prefer to see the perch of a size that's more in proportion to the bird, although I can appreciate this is easier said than done as they don't perch to order.
One other point is, I think it's not a bad idea in images such as this to have the bird small for a couple of reasons. One, because the surroundings/habitat is particularly attractive and/or interesting. Or, secondly to give a good indication as to the bird's immediate surroundings. The surrounding colour here certainly looks quite nice but perhaps it would have been good to have the background slightly better defined, so as to give a better indication as to the bird's habitat.
Well, lots of reasons there. You did ask
Posted by Major Gilbert on October 7, 2008 at 1:19 PM
I think Justin covered it all in detail.
The sole thing form is the size of the perch. If it had been on a smaller branch think it would have worked quite well along with those backgroud colours.
Im afraid i agree entirely with Justin, im not a big fan of "birds in environment" photos at the best of times.
Posted by eric weight on October 7, 2008 at 2:55 PM
I really like shots with more environment on display, but they are very hard to get right so that the Bg doesn't overpower the subject while still containing enough detail to give a sense of place. I agree with everything that Justin says, but I would also add that here is a lot of space in this shot that says nothing at all, particularly below and to the left. I hope these comments don't put you off trying more of these shots, because for me a really good environmental style shot beats a bird on a stick every time. Look at Danny's recent seal shot to see how little bg detail you need to create an atmosphere and a sense of environment. Eric
Posted by Magnus Hird on October 7, 2008 at 6:45 PM
Agree with John that for me the bird is a little too small in the frame. Might have been tempted to have the left hand side as a portrait crop with the bird looking the other way (presuming it did/would!!). That might take the weight out of the perch (as only the thinner end would remain) and keep what I think is a nice colourful mottled background
Posted by Paul Thomas on October 7, 2008 at 7:28 PM
I really like enviro shots but feel that you've overdone it a bit here as the bird is too small in the frame for my tastes. The magenta cast should be easy to fix.
Paul
Posted by Chris Jones on October 8, 2008 at 3:58 AM
Thank you all for your comments. I appreciate the relationship to the size of the subject to the background is all important in this type of photo and it is unfortunate about the large branch.
In the past I've been allways trying to achieve optimum bird detail and jiz (as per my blog pics), but I think I will try and explore this bigger picture more [so be warned I may post more :-)].
As for the cast, it didn't go unnoticed, but it was a true account of the light of that day, so I decided to leave it in.
Discussion
8 repliesI'm experimenting a bit with putting the bird back into where I found it and would appreciate your comments as to if it works or not.
Techs are:
1D3
500mm + 1.4x
1/240th
f5.6 +0.33
ISO 400
Regards Chris
" I'm experimenting a bit with putting the bird back into where I found it and would appreciate your comments as to if it works or not."
Not sure what you mean by that.
Nice wide shot though, and It might have had the same effect by cropping tighter.The bird is just that bit too small in my opinion.
Cheers
JohnR
I think this style of image with the bird very small in the frame works great, but for me, this particular image doesn't quite work for several reasons.
Firstly, and the first thing that struck me, was the image has a very pronounced magenta colour cast.
Secondly, I think the placement of the bird is particularly important in images such as this, and in that respect I find the bird just a bit too central.
Thirdly, the size of the bird is quite substantially over-powered by the branch the bird is standing on. I'd much prefer to see the perch of a size that's more in proportion to the bird, although I can appreciate this is easier said than done as they don't perch to order.
One other point is, I think it's not a bad idea in images such as this to have the bird small for a couple of reasons. One, because the surroundings/habitat is particularly attractive and/or interesting. Or, secondly to give a good indication as to the bird's immediate surroundings. The surrounding colour here certainly looks quite nice but perhaps it would have been good to have the background slightly better defined, so as to give a better indication as to the bird's habitat.
Well, lots of reasons there. You did ask
The sole thing form is the size of the perch. If it had been on a smaller branch think it would have worked quite well along with those backgroud colours.
Major.
Paul
In the past I've been allways trying to achieve optimum bird detail and jiz (as per my blog pics), but I think I will try and explore this bigger picture more [so be warned I may post more :-)].
As for the cast, it didn't go unnoticed, but it was a true account of the light of that day, so I decided to leave it in.
Thank you again, all very much appreciated.
Regards Chris