Black-Necked Stilt Looking for Critique

[KevinLormand]

Okay I took this photo on March 11, 2010 and am looking for both technical and composition feedback. I know I have a lot to learn and am still learning my camera, exposure, etc. I just feel that while this shot is one of my better ones I still feel I'm lacking and need to know what direction I need to focus in. Thank you for any help.

[Singletracklovr]

Hi Kevin,
It is a very nice shot and a very tough one to get the exposure just right.
From the white on the bird's chest to the black on his head is quite a range.

If you shot this in the cameras RAW format you might be able to pull a little more detail out of the white area that is blown out in PP.

The focus on the eye is perfect.
I for one would like to see more of the bird in focus ie.legs and tail. Some will say no the shallow DOF is better for bokah . I'd rather have the whole bid in focus and I'll creat the bokah with a gaussian blur.

hth

[Eric D]

Hi Kevin,
It is a very nice shot and a very tough one to get the exposure just right.
From the white on the bird's chest to the black on his head is quite a range.

If you shot this in the cameras RAW format you might be able to pull a little more detail out of the white area that is blown out in PP.

The focus on the eye is perfect.
I for one would like to see more of the bird in focus ie.legs and tail. Some will say no the shallow DOF is better for bokah . I'd rather have the whole bid in focus and I'll creat the bokah with a gaussian blur.

hth

I agree...also would lighten up the eye and tone down that white spot to the left of his neck.

Nice capture over all!!!

[KevinLormand]

Thank you both very much. I'm not sure what PP is but I do have the RAW, I read it's a good idea to shoot in raw and thus I do. I like the advice and am glad I came here.

[DennisT]

Would have liked to see something more of the legs progressing through the water tension ripples and perhaps a little less tightness on the crop (rule of thirds). Agree with the comments iro getting a little more detail in the white areas but its still a great picture - particularly around the eyes.

[KevinLormand]

Would have liked to see something more of the legs progressing through the water tension ripples and perhaps a little less tightness on the crop (rule of thirds). Agree with the comments iro getting a little more detail in the white areas but its still a great picture - particularly around the eyes.

Thank you, I need to look up the rule of thirds and there was no post cropping this is how I framed the picture and do see what you mean about a more leg through the water.

Singletracklovr I will look up this bokeh and DOF I'm not sure what you are talking about. I frame the shot and try as best I can to get what I see and want. I use manual f thingy and shutter speed but only have a rudimentary knowledge of what they do. I just can't get the shots I want on automatic. I also have to learn how to use auto focus appropriatly as for some reason when I line up my shot and hold the shutter half down the focus area moves to the left in my view finder. I think my big nose is hitting the control for that.

This is the feedback I truly need to become more efficient and better. Thank you very much

[Singletracklovr]

Thank you, I need to look up the rule of thirds and there was no post cropping this is how I framed the picture and do see what you mean about a more leg through the water.

Singletracklovr I will look up this bokeh and DOF I'm not sure what you are talking about. I frame the shot and try as best I can to get what I see and want. I use manual f thingy and shutter speed but only have a rudimentary knowledge of what they do. I just can't get the shots I want on automatic. I also have to learn how to use auto focus appropriatly as for some reason when I line up my shot and hold the shutter half down the focus area moves to the left in my view finder. I think my big nose is hitting the control for that.

This is the feedback I truly need to become more efficient and better. Thank you very much

Hi Kevin,
I'm sorry about the acronyms.
PP= Post Processing, software applications like photoshop, ViewNX, etc
Bokeh= Smoothly blurred background making the subject look 3 dimensional.
DOF= Depth of field, The area front to back that is in focus.

It's good that you are shooting in RAW that way as you learn more tricks in Post Processing you can return to old images and really make them pop.
What PP application are you using right now?

[KevinLormand]

Hi Kevin,
I'm sorry about the acronyms.
PP= Post Processing, software applications like photoshop, ViewNX, etc
Bokeh= Smoothly blurred background making the subject look 3 dimensional.
DOF= Depth of field, The area front to back that is in focus.

It's good that you are shooting in RAW that way as you learn more tricks in Post Processing you can return to old images and really make them pop.
What PP application are you using right now?

Photoshop 7 and the software that came with the Nikon D60. Can you control DOF and Bokeh with the camera or is it strictly a PP function. It seems like I can fiddle the settings to adjust for the amount that's in focus and I prefer to do as little after the fact effects as possible. I really want my photography to convey what I am seeing and feeling in my subject. Again I can't thank you enough. I've started researching both Bokeh and DOF.

[Singletracklovr]

Photoshop 7 and the software that came with the Nikon D60. Can you control DOF and Bokeh with the camera or is it strictly a PP function. It seems like I can fiddle the settings to adjust for the amount that's in focus and I prefer to do as little after the fact effects as possible. I really want my photography to convey what I am seeing and feeling in my subject. Again I can't thank you enough. I've started researching both Bokeh and DOF.

Hi Kevin,
You are welcome, it's really no problem at all. I'm glad to help.
I use Nikon ViewNX and Photoshop 7 for my PP. PS7 an oldy but a goody.

You control bokeh with DOF.
Check out this site. It helped me with DOF.
http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

[Frog]

I'll only talk about the composition.
The feet missing has been mentioned and it really is quite important for a shot like this. See how the feet are making a nice circular patterned splash in the water. Would really make the shot if they were shown more.When you see a shot like this with the subject being the tall thing in the shot, try to think vertically. Its not hard really and will really increase your number of keepers.

I also had to look twice to see if that leaf was being held in the birds beak or was in the water. I was able to know quickly but it does cause one to pause, even if for only a moment. If there were less dof it wouldn't cause the pause but then more of the bird would be out of focus. I think I would clone it out
The white blur in front of its crop is also distracting and I'd clone it out.

All that aside this is a good catch with nice eye focus and exposure. I don't even think the white is blown out....its just white. Nature's critters aren't known for cooperating with photographers and I think you did well.

[KevinLormand]

Bob thanks for the link I'm on my way there now.

Frog. Thank you for the composition side. I can picture the seen in my head if I had adjusted my angle and looked more vertical with the feet intact.