Long zoom birds

Paul Iddon

These few were all taken at the top end of a Sigma 150-500, with the cormorants one also using a 1.4x extender. All the subjects were a very long way away (except the blue tit which was just 40 yards from me) and are cropped for these results:


Blue Tit:




Cormorants & Gulls:




Heron:




Dipper:




Paul.

Stumblebum

#1 rocks!

Paul Iddon

Stumblebum wrote: »

#1 rocks!

The most common bird the best eh? Hehehhe


Cheers Stumble


Paul.

Stumblebum

Paul Iddon wrote: »

The most common bird the best eh? Hehehhe


Cheers Stumble


Paul.

First, I didn't know it was common. Got so many cool shades and beautiful eyes and pattern around the neck. Second, if we only go by rare, it would be hard to be a wild-life photographer, unless you happen to be a park ranger or something. I love the shot completely, the way it is framed, and how it is looking down from up top and artsy too! I love #4 also, only wish dipper was looking to its left, as its beak is getting lost in the background, losing the separation from rest of the body, which caused me to hold back my effusive praise! Keep em coming!

Paul Iddon

Thanks again, youre very generous. :-)


Paul.

puzzledpaul

Paul Iddon wrote: »

The most common bird the best eh? ...

Well, I'd much rather see (and try to get) decent pictures of supposedly common subjects than pics of more exotic species that rely more on the species' 'wow' factor rather than basic pic / image qualities / considerations.

Already commented on 1 - as regards the others
3, 4 would be better from a lower pov
in 3 it'd get rid of the water streak and help to control both the bg and fg, but probably wouldn't get rid of the 'hand of man' bg element.
4 would be a rather different pic altogether - especially with a better pose (as prev. mentioned)

2 is way too busy for my tastes, with no real focus of attention ... + messy fg.

All imo, of course ...

pp

bristlecone

#1 is tops for me. Nice.

Paul Iddon

Cheers fella, much appreciate your thoughts & comments.

Quick edit of No.1:




Paul.

Stumblebum

Wow! #1 looks much better after edit!! Sharper, clearer, without going overboard. What tool did you use to get rid of part of the branch so cleanly? What else was changed. Thanks!

Paul Iddon

I used the clone content aware spot healing brush. clone tool, and patch tool for larger areas, painting over the branches. Over the crossing part of the branch, I just copied and pasted bits of other branch parts. Curves and saturation to finish.


Paul.