Opinions invited

Several months ago John Robinson posted a picture of a thrush's anvil and I said it was a shot I had wanted for years, but never managed to get. A couple of days ago I finally got lucky. Unfortunately it was under a yew tree in a churchyard, and in not very good light. The remains of snow in the background has helped the light, but not much.

I am posting a shot more or less as taken, along with another one where I have cloned out an intrusive twig. Normally I would say the picture works better without the twig, but in this case I am not sure. What do others think? I have posted the worked version as the 'large' file. By the way, this is not yet a 'final' worked version. If possible I want that shot at a lower ISO.

With the benefit of hindsight I was stupid to set the camera to 400 ISO, I should have left it at 200. I have been back in better light, and even found the thrush, but no more anvil use.

David

Nikon D300, 600mm Nikon, 1.4x converter, 1/100th @ f6.3, 400 ISO.

Hi David
For what its worth- twig stays- without doubt in my view. I would try a bit of burn on the head though- just a bit. Maybe abit on the foreground too?
It and the foreground make up the habitat you would expect to find this bird in.
What real difference would the 200 or 400 iso have made by the way ? Speed or aperture?
Cheers
JR

Hi John,

On the D300 the real issue is grain, 400 is noticeably worse than 200. I do seriously wonder whether it was worth bumping the ISO up for a single stop, but it seemed a good idea at the time. I'll have to dream about that D800, where surely it will not be a problem!

Thanks for your comment.

David

David
get a D7000 !!!
JR

It is an interesting natural history shot and would grace any talk to the NHS or RSPB

Bob

David

With due respect with the twig in it's really so much apart of the habitat.

Twig in for me David. I think it actually enhances what is in effect a plain white background.

Great capture! The twig has to stay. Looks a little bright on my monitor.

Leave the twig in, as, in my view, it adds to the effect of the secretive thrush working on its anvil whilst hidden under the undergrowth.
Best wishes
Phil

Hi twig in is fine, but I find my d300 fine at iso 800 ?.

Phil.

The twig for me also, it gives balance to the image, IMHO.

Twig stays for me David and it seems a touch on the bright side for me. Interesting comments on the D300...... I found mine was also very noisy above 400 and that was why I got the D7000. Now I can shoot at 800 plus and not worry about noise. Great behaviour shot by the way!

Nick.

Thanks, everybody, for your input. I should have stuck with my own gut feel on the subject, but I am glad that others agree that the twig should stay.

Regards,

David