Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Forums · UKNP

Reed warbler and dew question ..

Discussion

15 replies
Posted by Dave Bartlett on May 25, 2010 at 6:31 PM
Reed warbler and dew question ..
The new reed growth is beginning to emerge and providing some rather more interesting backgrounds for these birds rather just than last years dead stems. There are some out of focus dew droplets on some of the leaves - can't decide whether to leave them or take them out and whether they are a distraction or not .. thoughts?

1DMkIII + 500mm L IS + 1.4x TC
1/320sec at f/6.3 and ISO200
Posted by John Robinson on May 25, 2010 at 6:43 PM
Nice shot.
I'd leave them but maybe take out the highlight bottom left.
cheers
JohnR
Posted by Brett Lewis on May 25, 2010 at 6:47 PM
I agree with John but am also distracted by that strong, lighter stem/leaf in the top right corner and find it a bit to prominent. That said you did very well to get the bird as isolated as you have in that environment. Nice details where it counts.

Brett :toast:
Posted by Paul King on May 25, 2010 at 7:17 PM
A slightly tighter crop to remove the upper right leaf! nicely caught though. :toast:
Posted by David Kjaer on May 26, 2010 at 4:12 AM
Hi Dave

Lovely image of an often difficult bird to photograph well. The minor nits mentioned don't really bother me as it is such a strong image that my eye isn't drawn to them.

David :toast: :toast:
Posted by David Sewell on May 26, 2010 at 4:26 AM
Hi Dave,

For me that highlight below the bird's tail has to go, otherwise I would leave very much alone.

David
Posted by Andy Astbury on May 26, 2010 at 4:57 AM
As per David and John, just take the OoF hl out below the tail Dave - BGs tight to the subject are always something of a predicament and some species just don't give you any other opportunities.
Posted by keith mitchell on May 26, 2010 at 5:02 AM
Leave it as it is Dave,very nice.
:toast: :toast:
Keith.
Posted by Shaun Boycott-Tayl on May 26, 2010 at 5:31 AM
Stunning image :toast:

I would get rid of the highlight below the tail but leave the rest as it is. :wink:

Shaun :wavey:
Posted by Karen Summers on May 26, 2010 at 6:03 AM
agree about the highlight but it is a lovely image
Posted by Dave Bartlett on May 26, 2010 at 6:31 AM
Many thanks to everyone for all the comments and advice so far. I'll get rid of the highlight below the tail as suggested :toast:
Posted by Mark Davies on May 26, 2010 at 10:58 AM
Blur tool to the sharpish stalk top left too? Otherwise a belter .
Posted by Lewis Thomson on May 26, 2010 at 11:27 AM

Hi Dave,

Lovely shot, good to see your efforts are paying off. I would just remove that one highlight as suggested. The pose of the bird is ace!

Cheers,

Lewis.
:toast:
Posted by Simon Litten on May 26, 2010 at 11:29 AM
Your starting to annoy me with these Reed Warbler shots! I've invested hours on them and got virtually nothing :mad:
Fantastic shot and EXTREMELY jealous.
:toast:

Simon
Posted by Fran French on May 26, 2010 at 12:45 PM
A super image of a difficult species to photograph. Very Nice!

I agree with Brett with regards to the top right pale area and also the water drop below it's tail, that said, I would love an image like this!!

Fran :toast: :toast:
Posted by eric weight on May 26, 2010 at 4:15 PM
There is always something that you can do to improve any image in PS, but I would restrict myself to the Oof hl bottom left, as the rest really is just habitat, If the bird was on a single reed with perhaps one or two bits intruding that might be different, but you could keep painting out bg in this kind of shot for ever. This is how I like to see them and it's a fine shot that I would be pleased to have.
:toast: eric