Taken a few days ago in typical April weather, sun/cloud, spots of rain with strong winds and the wind chill felt like January. Irrespective of the conditions, these little birds would scoot around feeding, then 'hunker down' in any spot that would give them some respite from the chilling wind. This one was surveying the land with his/her feet firmly, bolted to the floor.
Posted by Marcus Conway on April 22, 2010 at 4:17 AM
One of my favourite birds Steve, like you say always full of character. Good POV and the background is boosting this one in the difficult conditions.
Cheers, Marcus
A most attractive portrait. I usually like the soft, out of focus foregrounds, but in this case I feel the image would be strengthened by cropping just above the out of focus area.
very nice Steve, Like Justin I usually like OOF forgrounds but feel that it is not aiding this image... the setting looks very nice, is it possible for a shade more in front?
Posted by Phil Mclean on April 22, 2010 at 7:13 AM
Lovely portrait.With the OOF foreground and that strip of OOF white I almost feel the bird's on a raft flowing downstream.Not necessarily a bad thing,just my first impression.
Hi Guys, I have to say that probably it was 'Cropping format' that over ruled my thoughts rather than the overall look, as I knew I was going towards a more squat format than the norm. I tend to always crop for editorial ie leaving room for text etc rather than 'visually' looking at it.
Anyway, is this more in keeping, although I feel now is getting a little too big in the frame?
Posted by Mark Davies on April 22, 2010 at 9:31 AM
Cant quite make my mind up on the crop .But a fine study sir .
Posted by Austin Thomas on April 22, 2010 at 12:25 PM
Very nice subject and angle Steve,
The crop is a tricky one. I am undecided between the two as to which is stronger.
Cheers
Austin
Posted by Brett Lewis on April 22, 2010 at 1:03 PM
Very nicely done Steve, I also find the OOF FG a bit distracting but by cropping it it just doesn't sit right IMO. The ratio of the first comp works best but just not the 'mush' in this case. Everything else is spot on and to your usual high standard.
I am in the first camp. Agree, its a little big in the frame on the repost and that detracts more than the mush in the first IMHO. A great exposure and an image I would love to have.
Pete
Posted by Calum Dickson on April 23, 2010 at 5:07 AM
I didn't notice the oof bit at the front until it was mentioned I was just drawn to the "fed up" expression on the birds face which I thought captured the description given very well.
The crop on the first image is the better one composition wise, but I like the second one better with less mush on this image. Which leaves me thinking this might have worked better in landscape format if that was possible.
Discussion
15 repliesSteve
MKIII 500f/4 1/320 f/9 ISO400 (AM shot, HH, 30% crop)
Cheers, Marcus
Phil.
Anyway, is this more in keeping, although I feel now is getting a little too big in the frame?
The crop is a tricky one. I am undecided between the two as to which is stronger.
Cheers
Austin
Brett
I think with hindsight guys, a landscape would have been better without the pebbles, just wanted to avoid the water in the BG.
Steve
Philip Newman
Pete
Calum
Probably the same expression Calum as mine, regarding goslings & mallards
cheers
Steve
Lovely bird and very nice detail.
The crop on the first image is the better one composition wise, but I like the second one better with less mush on this image. Which leaves me thinking this might have worked better in landscape format if that was possible.