I never tire of these little birds. I was trying for woodpeckers but this fellow kept turning up!
I thought it was a pleasing image but, as always, your views would be gratefully received.
Stats - D2X, 200-400 VR with 2xTC. 1/250 @f8 EV -0.7 ISO 320 beanbag as support.
Cheers,
Roy
Posted by David Kjaer on April 18, 2006 at 2:36 PM
Hi Roy
I like the compostion but the image looks a little too contrasty on my monitor and lacks critical sharpness!
Hmm Exposure is ok, Colour is good but the sharpness isnt there? Maybe off focus? Maybe camera shake (mirror slap induced)? Did you use mirror lock up? Thats a 400-800mm on a bean bag... Only my thoughts
Like the pose and the size of the bird in the frame, I do feel that it might be better as a portrait so that the bird can look to the bottom left corner.
As said contrast appears to be a touch high, but my main worry is the lack of critical sharpness, web sized images can and do often hide this problem but unfortunately not here... The problem could be due to a number of reasons which are probably compounded here.. i.e 2x converter on a zoom.. shake etc., as Paul rightly states mirror slap can have quite an effect, particularly when using long focal lengths, even at 1/250, I also note that you were shooting at f8, this would be wide open yes? When using a 2x you do need to be able to stop down by at least 2 stops to bring back a little bit of the sharpness you lose use the converter.
Hope this helps & not meant to be negative, it is a nice image...
Always a pleasure to see an image of such a beautiful species.
Your shot certainly portrays the acrobatic nature of the Blue Tit very well.
Composition wise,I would prefer portrait format for this one with the bird a little less centered and more towards the top of the frame.
Discussion
6 repliesI thought it was a pleasing image but, as always, your views would be gratefully received.
Stats - D2X, 200-400 VR with 2xTC. 1/250 @f8 EV -0.7 ISO 320 beanbag as support.
Cheers,
Roy
I like the compostion but the image looks a little too contrasty on my monitor and lacks critical sharpness!
David
It doesnt look right on my screen either,May need to have a play again in ps to sort it out
Like the pose and the size of the bird in the frame, I do feel that it might be better as a portrait so that the bird can look to the bottom left corner.
As said contrast appears to be a touch high, but my main worry is the lack of critical sharpness, web sized images can and do often hide this problem but unfortunately not here... The problem could be due to a number of reasons which are probably compounded here.. i.e 2x converter on a zoom.. shake etc., as Paul rightly states mirror slap can have quite an effect, particularly when using long focal lengths, even at 1/250, I also note that you were shooting at f8, this would be wide open yes? When using a 2x you do need to be able to stop down by at least 2 stops to bring back a little bit of the sharpness you lose use the converter.
Hope this helps & not meant to be negative, it is a nice image...
All the best
I think you may overdone the saturation and contrast. Other than I like the composition.
Regards
Rob
Always a pleasure to see an image of such a beautiful species.
Your shot certainly portrays the acrobatic nature of the Blue Tit very well.
Composition wise,I would prefer portrait format for this one with the bird a little less centered and more towards the top of the frame.