Flying juncos

[A.M.D.A.]

Someone recently commented that this photo looked "something like art". Thoughts? Would it work best if I cloned out the makeshift feeder and adjusted the cropping? Or should I simply try to reshoot again?

Moderately cropped, and standard edits applied (e.g. curves, color, saturation, sharpness) also some heavy NR, and cloning out "hot pixels". Feel free to edit & repost, but please in this thread only.
Attachment 63840
PENTAX *ist D with SMC PENTAX-A* 300mm F4 lens. (MF-only).
1/1600 second @ F5.0
ISO 1600
Center-weighted metering mode
Aperture-priority

Any feedback greatly appreciated – criticizing welcome, of course.

[Greg McCary]

I wouldn't do a thing but maybe a touch of contrast. Great work.

[A.M.D.A.]

Thanks for the comment and fast reply, Greg. I'm working on the photo right now...

[A.M.D.A.]

Contrast boosted slightly...
Attachment 63844

[Shebang]

See...you do produce beautiful photos!

Back to my tutorial.

[A.M.D.A.]

I appreciate the reply and comment, Paula.

[freygr]

Someone recently commented that this photo looked something like "art". Thoughts? Would it work best if I cloned out the makeshift feeder and adjusted the cropping? Or should I simply try to reshoot again?

Moderately cropped, and standard edits applied (e.g. curves, color, saturation, sharpness) also some heavy NR, and cloning out "hot pixels". Feel free to edit & repost, but please in this thread only.
Attachment 63840
PENTAX *ist D with SMC PENTAX-A* 300mm F4 lens. (MF-only).
1/1600 second @ F5.0
ISO 1600
Center-weighted metering mode
Aperture-priority

Any feedback greatly appreciated – criticizing welcome, of course.

It is art, and a very good photograph.

[AgingEyes]

It would be better if you don't have a busy background and the eye of the birds more visible.

[A.M.D.A.]

freygr/AgingEyes, thanks for your responses and comments. AE, many thanks for showing me the negative points! :thumbsup:

The background is dried (dead?) blackberry-bush plants w/snow, they are all over the place. I did not close down the aperture down too much, it would have made the branches sharper due to more DOF. I guess I could scout around and find a better background next time... but where did spring & summer go...?