Scotlands Finest

I trying for a few years to get some decent pictures of the elusive crested tit. I had visited Abernathy Forest on a few occasions to no avail. Then last May I visited an old site were they had been seen by a few locals occasionally. I set up and within an hour this little beauty appeared for a few minutes and then left.

I was quite pleased with the results

Hi Ron,

A bit of a belated welcome to UKNP. Lovely shot, just glad I'm not a bug with that slightly demented looking red eye staring down at me .

BTW, can you keep it down to a longest side of 720px please

I would also be quite pleased with this - it's a beauty.

Another bird I still haven't seen, let alone photgraphed.

Looks a tad up-sized again Ron - what are you doing matey

Cracking pose from a bird I've never clapped eyes on either

Have you been playing with the Shadow/Highlight adjustments - I ask because of the dark halo around the subject.

I don't mean to sound picky Ron - but you take some nice images then appear to torture them a bit

A beautiful bird, and I love the pose. The detail is great. Like it very much

A lovely image!!
Regards,
Paul Rosser.

Hi Ron,

I have to agree with Andy here, a little confusing. Is this a big crop? The feather detail seems to have suffered, have you used noise reduction? The dark halo is also rather obvious on my screen. Interesting others who have commented haven't picked any nits up. Cracking species to have though!

Cheers,

Lewis.

The crop is about 50%

Hi Ron,

Again a belated welcome.... you do certainly appear to be having a few processing issues, it would be helpfull if you could post your camera techs and the steps taken to process the image, I am sure that between all of us we can sort it out

This is a very nice image, my only nit is the perch which is fading to OOF in your direction...

I am certainly no expert when it comes to processing, however, having seen a lot of your photos on BirdGuides recently, i admit i have always thought, great subject, obviously getting close for detailed shots, but completely ruined in the processing. You seem to favour the shadow/highlight tool a lot, and believe me, it sticks out like a sore thumb.

The crop is about 50%

Lovely image Ron but I feel the processing has let it down.

It looks as though you used a bit to much shadow & highlight as their seems to be a halo around the bird. It also looks over sharpened to me but you couldn't get a better background as it suits the bird perfectly.


liam.

OK guys, Ive taken on board what you have said, many thanks for the criticisms I don't understand some of them.

I know I have a problem with this, I am self taught. One of the reasons for joining NPN is to get help to sort this problem out.

I have re-worked the image and I think I am getting there with it, using less bull at a gate tactics and tried to be a little more subtle with adjustments

What do you think

Hi Ron,

Looks much improved! I would crop it to a portrait loosing most of the oof perch, but thats personal choice. I feel that would strengthen the comp.

Cheers,

Lewis.

The subtle adjustments have worked, you have imho a much better image.


liam.

2nd attempt is very nice.

A bird I've yet to see and you've caught a lovely pose, clean BG, sharp eye. An image I would be proud to have in my collection.

I used to struggle with my processing as well, but after a lot of help and assistance from a certain member here, I feel I'm getting there. Certainly the most important lesson I've learned so far is that less is more.....

Graham
Thanks for the encouragement, and the tip. I an learnig by the day here

Many thanks to all for their comments
Ron

Lovely - especially the second version. You've certainly come to the right place for advice - I am self taught too and it's all come from here.