Butcher Bird

[CraigVTR]

A shot of a butcher bird I took some time ago. Not really sure if I am happy with it or not. Please tell me what is wrong with it, be honest.



Craig

[DaveB]

Please tell me what is wrong with it

Well, you asked...

It's not sharp (motion blur or lens issue? I think it needs to be sharper at the eye at least), large areas of white feathers are overexposed, there's some purple fringing along the bright area of the beak (this looks like it was with a 300mm zoom "wide"-open at f/5.6, which might be part of the issue), and the crop seems a tad tight to me.

But it's an interesting bird and an interesting pose!

Personally I think the glossy balcony/furniture perch doesn't look very natural (although it's undoubtedly authentic). But I suppose as long as you haven't done any "post"-processing on this you could call it a "Nature" shot. (I'm kidding BTW, in case anyone missed it! )

[Geoff]

A shot of a butcher bird I took some time ago. Not really sure if I am happy with it or not. Please tell me what is wrong with it, be honest.



Craig

Craig - can you please give us some EXIF data from the shot?

[CraigVTR]

Geoff

Data for the bird.
f5.6, 1/500, 70-300g @ 300, iso ?, Meter pattern.

Another shot taken after having just bought the camera.

Craig

[Finch]

Craig,

I pretty much agree with DaveB. Unfortunately butcherbird isn't sharp and whites are overexposed. I also agree that its a nice pose but the railing looks out of place.

Keep trying

Cheers

Michael

[avkomp]

unfortunately agree with what has already been said.

brutally honest:
not sharp, whites hot,
taken in quite harsh light
unnatural perch.

early morning and late afternoon light is the sweetest
you need the eye sharp. you can be a little soft in other places but the eye needs to be sharp. If not the photo looks out of focus whether it is or not.

the overexposed whites are probably caused by the harsh light.
strong sunlight will reflect of white plumage, if you expose the rest of the shot ok, the whites will be overcooked. try to avoid harsh light a few hours around midday.

cant see much detail in the black face. Fill flash is often a good idea with this sort of shot, will help with details in the darker areas, add a highlight in the eyes and often the oils in the plumage react well to the flash.

as for the perch, a lot of nature photograhers, including wannabees like me believe that you should try to get a natural looking perch with wild birds. I try to avoid traces of man made items in my bird shots if possible.

Eye contact is good in this shot.
you should endeavour to get the shot as close as possible to eye level

patience and practice will yield rewards

Steve

[CraigVTR]

Please tell me what is wrong with it

Well, you asked...

It's not sharp (motion blur or lens issue? I think it needs to be sharper at the eye at least), large areas of white feathers are overexposed, there's some purple fringing along the bright area of the beak (this looks like it was with a 300mm zoom "wide"-open at f/5.6, which might be part of the issue), and the crop seems a tad tight to me.

But it's an interesting bird and an interesting pose!

Personally I think the glossy balcony/furniture perch doesn't look very natural (although it's undoubtedly authentic). But I suppose as long as you haven't done any "post"-processing on this you could call it a "Nature" shot. (I'm kidding BTW, in case anyone missed it! )

You are right about the lens and apeture. This bird, or a cousin, used to be a constant visitor to our house, I have seen him on the kitchen cupboard on a number of occasions. No PP apart from levels and crop.

Steve
You comment about the perch cartainly makes sense, but it is hard to pass up a shot when the bird comes to visit at the house.

Thanks guys for all the honest comments I will try to take them on board.


Craig