Posted by jack chapman on October 17, 2008 at 2:19 PM
not too sure about this one a bit different but not necesseraly in a good way, i was trying for some great tit shots on wednesday but this jay kept coming and stealing all the nuts, i'm going to try for some more conventional shots tomorrow
40D + 300mm F4L + 1.4 extender
1/500 @ f5.6
ISO 640
FULL FRAME
I'm afraid this one doesn't work for me Jack. The composition is unsettling; as the bird is looking very slightly to the right of the image perhaps you can crop it so the bird is positioned more to the left of the frame. I would also crop some of that empty space at the top as in this instance it doesn't seem to add anything.
Robert
Posted by eric weight on October 17, 2008 at 5:05 PM
I'm inclined to agree with Robert, but I like the idea a lot. I think if you are going for a portrait, filling the frame properly is a good way to go. Also, if you are that close, Oof stuff like the bill becomes a bit unsettling, so maybe a side view or a larger depth of field would be an improvement. I have seen comment before about people not liking portrait shots all that much, but I must admit I like them. Great to see you trying different things. Eric.
Posted by John Robinson on October 17, 2008 at 8:00 PM
I,ll go with the comments so far too.
As I have said before - head on birds are always a bit "iffy "
JR
hi jack, it's not too bad, it almost works, i think this type of portrait works better in wide angle, as it gives a sense of engagement with the viewer, almost like the subject is coming out of the screen, but telephoto doesn't work as it distances the viewer. try again with a remote and WA to see if it works.
Posted by jack chapman on October 18, 2008 at 4:37 AM
thanks for the comments all,
i also agree entirely that the depth of field is disconcerting here, hadn't really thought about that
i understand about a conventional side on look for portraiture being better, however i really do like 'off-key' compositions, though i agree that i'm not there yet with this one,
Always worth trying something new, but I’m sorry it doesn’t work for me. Now a more on profile as a horizontal would be something else.
Don’t ever stop exploring new compositions, some will work and our failures also tell us something.
Posted by Magnus Hird on October 20, 2008 at 4:52 PM
I'm going to go against the grain here but subject to the DOF I like this, I think the composition is something different and interesting (including the dead space) and the image immediately brings the cheeky nature of jays out
Discussion
7 replies40D + 300mm F4L + 1.4 extender
1/500 @ f5.6
ISO 640
FULL FRAME
Robert
As I have said before - head on birds are always a bit "iffy "
JR
hi jack, it's not too bad, it almost works, i think this type of portrait works better in wide angle, as it gives a sense of engagement with the viewer, almost like the subject is coming out of the screen, but telephoto doesn't work as it distances the viewer. try again with a remote and WA to see if it works.
i also agree entirely that the depth of field is disconcerting here, hadn't really thought about that
i understand about a conventional side on look for portraiture being better, however i really do like 'off-key' compositions, though i agree that i'm not there yet with this one,
oh well keep trying
Don’t ever stop exploring new compositions, some will work and our failures also tell us something.