I can see why you picked the first one though as it has a more attractive head turn, but as Calum says, with the downside of the eye being shaded. Nice catchlight on your second image though. The 'half lit' shots are indeed difficult to control on birds with this sort of tonal range (or they are for me anyway!)
As mentioned already, that eye is all important and its just too far into shadow for the image to work. The second one is better. As its a crop, have you tried giving it more room to the top and right to show the bird in its setting?
Thanks for the comments so far. This is the full frame version
Posted by David Sewell on May 20, 2010 at 10:39 AM
James,
I think preferred your first posting of this second shot. I don't think that the extra space at the top adds a lot, although I do like the additional space on the right. I realise that is totally at odds with what Simon says, but it would be a dull forum if we agreed with each other.
Hi James,
fraid they dont do it for me, the bird is to much amongst the mish mash behind, last light shots can be a real bugger, specially if really bright, also looks a bit soft. keep going though.
Discussion
9 repliesCanon 40D, 100-400 at 400mm
iso 400, 1/1000, f6.3
70% crop
Not sure on positioning in the frame or??exposure but have tried to keep the whites.
C & C welcome.
beacuse the birds eye is in shade this one isn't quite working for me.
Calum
I think preferred your first posting of this second shot. I don't think that the extra space at the top adds a lot, although I do like the additional space on the right. I realise that is totally at odds with what Simon says, but it would be a dull forum if we agreed with each other.
David
Phil.
fraid they dont do it for me, the bird is to much amongst the mish mash behind, last light shots can be a real bugger, specially if really bright, also looks a bit soft. keep going though.