Posted by Paul Rosser on November 24, 2009 at 1:32 PM
An image taken last Friday afternoon. I was sitting just 10ft away from this lovely bird,(albeit motionless and very quiet)it was a joy to watch, and something I won't forget!
All comments most welcome!
Canon 50D, Sigma 150-500mm lens
Posted by Bertl Menegoni on November 24, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Always a pleasure to watch them.
Nice portrait of this wonderful bird.
Bertl
Posted by Craig Jones on November 24, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Lovely image and portrait Paul
Posted by Paul Ashton on November 24, 2009 at 2:03 PM
A very conventional iamge of a GSW let down by the background and overall softness.
Posted by keith mitchell on November 24, 2009 at 2:45 PM
Hi Paul this looks great to me, i like the bird and the background.
Keith.
Posted by Greg Hitchcock on November 24, 2009 at 4:03 PM
You did well to get this close, Paul, but he does appear to have spotted you!
I agree with Paul A. in that it does look soft. The angle shot from looks a bit uncomfortable/unnatural, and you could have done with more DOF.
Greg
Posted by Ian Macdermott on November 24, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Hi Paul
nice shot and well done for getting so close also a very nice background
However it looks a bit soft, maybe a bit more sharpening ?
Posted by John Robinson on November 24, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Bit soft Paul but better than the last.
More EXP detail would help.
JohnR
It certainly does look a little soft which may be helped by a touch of extra sharpening, you did sharpen after resizing?
I can see where Greg is coming from over the slight awkwardness of shooting angle, it looks as if you where above the bird... For me I would like a bit more space around particularly for the tail and agree a touch more DoF, it is helpfull if you can post more techs particularly exposure.
I think Paul A must have arisen from the wrong side of his bed as there isn't a lot wrong with the bg that can't be sorted easily.
Posted by Nigel Blake on November 25, 2009 at 3:58 AM
A very conventionally composed image which would look better if it was sharp, focus looks to be on the front of the tree trunk.
I feel the bird needs to be slightly higher in the frame because the tail looks as if it might extend (the unseen tail tip, virtually) out of the frame.
Looks like its a regular visitor to this tree so I am sure you'll get more shots of it and be able to address some of the above comments and present a stunner at a later date.
It is sharp but in the wrong place. Looks like the nearest claw and the very tip of the beak are at the outer edge of the plane of focus so no amount of sharpening is going to bring it back in. I don't see anything wrong with the background but agree it needs a bit more space below. It would seem you have plenty of scope with this bird to improve.
Cheers
Robert
Posted by Ian Mason on November 26, 2009 at 2:55 PM
Strange how opinions vary - background is OK by me. I agree about the point of focus and look forward to seeing more.
Discussion
11 repliesAll comments most welcome!
Canon 50D, Sigma 150-500mm lens
Nice portrait of this wonderful bird.
Bertl
Keith.
I agree with Paul A. in that it does look soft. The angle shot from looks a bit uncomfortable/unnatural, and you could have done with more DOF.
Greg
nice shot and well done for getting so close also a very nice background
However it looks a bit soft, maybe a bit more sharpening ?
More EXP detail would help.
JohnR
I can see where Greg is coming from over the slight awkwardness of shooting angle, it looks as if you where above the bird... For me I would like a bit more space around particularly for the tail and agree a touch more DoF, it is helpfull if you can post more techs particularly exposure.
I think Paul A must have arisen from the wrong side of his bed
I feel the bird needs to be slightly higher in the frame because the tail looks as if it might extend (the unseen tail tip, virtually) out of the frame.
Looks like its a regular visitor to this tree so I am sure you'll get more shots of it and be able to address some of the above comments and present a stunner at a later date.
Cheers
Robert