learning to use the flash with birds

let me know how I can improve these pics. Im learning all the neat settings and learning the difference between fill and back ground flashes.
First I was going for ominous look. kinda evil thing. These are of our new buddies. Izzy the Senegal Parrot and stewey the quaker parrot
http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/2742/gsxr1072pm0.jpg
pet me please
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/5193/gsxr1044ek5.jpg
Im dirty
http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/91/gsxr1062pj0.jpg
looking good
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/5504/gsxr1083zl1.jpg
can not forget the quaker
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/8020/gsxr1102pj3.jpg

wow after I posted the pics I seen how screwed up the first one was is this better
http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/4994/izzywoomd5.png

No it is darker.
I do like the exposure on the others though.
The last 2 are very nice I just wish they were not so centered, I especially like the muted color of the last one.
#3 would be better if the eye was sharper, but I do like the pose a lot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shooter Tiff

No it is darker.
I do like the exposure on the others though.
The last 2 are very nice I just wish they were not so centered, I especially like the muted color of the last one.
#3 would be better if the eye was sharper, but I do like the pose a lot.

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well I was going for a darker, scarier look. So what do I need to do in the cropping. I tried to make it more even. what should I have done?

I can hardly see the bird in the first one and it got worse when you re-posted it. I can see what you were going for but I think you need just a touch more light so you can see what it is that you are looking at. Even just enough light to see the eyes a little would have helped.

You have heard of the rule of thirds?

yeah I forget about the rule of thirds. But if I remember I cut out the corner of the wall.
is this better? I really cant push it too much cause of the pixels popping out like crazy
http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/7...yredonetu7.png

I would just try taking that one again maybe. Like I said it's a really good idea but too dark. Did you shoot in raw?
The first one you posted came out best because you can see more. the other two re-posts are just far to dark.
Is your light positioned above the bird? try maybe using something like a white card to reflect the light back up from in front and slightly under the bird to get a little more definition in the face. If you can get enough light bouncing back you shouldn't even have to use more flash.
Have you checked out the studio lighting forum for some pointers?

If I didn't know what it was, I wouldn't know what it is.
You need some highlights somewhere.

BTW that last one with the dull looking bird in it is really growing on me, great lighting and very sharp.

Thanks Frog and shooter. The reason I tried this effect I wanted that showed only the top the the bill eyes but I forgot about light from down up. Like as dummy I shot in basic fill. not raw. I usually shoot raw because I like to use the Adobe light room program. I will try to reshoot this and use a reflector on the floor.

Ya I have done that before thinking I was in raw but not. Even if the reflector puts off too much light at the body of the bird try without but maybe up your exposure or just play with it in light room