Red Billed Hornbill

[iclayton]

Here are a couple of bird shots I took while in South Africa over December.

I would like any feedback on how I can improve the shots.

The second one not sure of the name of the bird I think needs to be cropped as having the flowers in focus distracted my view to the right of the picture.

What do you think.

Thanks Iain.

[gahspidy]

The first shot is very good. You have great lighting going on here, good sharpness, and dof is right. Also a nice catchlight in the birds eye. If anything, I just see cropping it a bit from the left frame to bring the bird to the left and out of dead center, also making it a slightly vertical aspect. Nice one.
The second shot is ok but I'm bothered by the green stem in the foreground going through the birds head. I think the crop helps bring the bird more into the scene.
Welcome to the forum, I think you will soon get to know Paulnj

[iclayton]

Gary, thank for the advice.

I agree about the second shot, the green stem is distracting but the bird just would not move.

With the first shot can I ask why it should be trimmed from the left and not the right.

Thanks Iain.

[paulnj]

your second bird is a stone-curlew( thick knee )on winter territory ;) they are quite a cool looking bird aren't they

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burhinidae

the only distracting element in the image is the foreground grass IMHO

As I am sure you are aware of.... coming at you is always better than going away, but we take them as they present themselves.

[Chunk]

Nice shots. The first crop is better IMHO, because it leaves space in the direction the bird is looking.

[iclayton]

Thanks for the feedback.

PaulNJ : Thanks for the input and for pointing out that site, I think that the bird family is right but it seems to be a relative of the stone-curlew called the Spotted Dikkop ;)

http://www.safaricamlive.com/Encyclo...ted_dikkop.htm


Iain.

[paulnj]

I was close

the thick knees in africa are all very similiar in appearance though.

Is this it ? If not click "thick knee" and view all of them individually BOOKMARK that site, as it is the LARGEST collection of FREE to view WORLD bird images.

http://www.worldbirdguide.com/birdso...pic58-4-3.html

[gahspidy]

The crop from the right definetely works best as for reason Chunk stated. I first thought from the left because it appears in the original the birds feet are already a bit closer to the left and thought less cropping would be needed to bring it out of center, but agreed it is usually better to have the space in the direction the subject is looking. Looks great

[iclayton]

gahspidy/Chuck : Thanks for the advice I will keep it in mind next time.

PaulNJ : You are right it is the spotted thick knee, I believe Dikkop is the local name for the bird which is quite strang as translated it would be more like 'Thick Head'.

Iain.

[paulnj]

They are the same bird ;) same latin name