Macaw

Rob Barron · 16-01-2007, 21:52

This was taken in Florida 2006, I have deliberately not cropped in two tight as I feel the leaves in BG give this balance and are quite exotic looking so add to the birds own stunning plumage. Now, I KNOW I cropped a sliver too tight on the right but I don't think that matters too much.

Implements as follows: Canon 20D, 100-400mm IS L series

Any C&C very welcome.

Cheers,
Rob

**Angela** · 16-01-2007, 22:14

I agree about the BG Rob, apart from that one leaf that appears to come out of the bird's beak...I find that one a little distracting. The wood is a little bright but, really, it is a lovely shot

water · 16-01-2007, 22:30

Lovely vibrant colours and a 'coy' look at the camera.Nice.

The branch is a bit distracting.

**Markulous** · 17-01-2007, 07:57

Lovely bright subject against that backdrop. Agree that the branch needs burning back - as does the leaf on LHS as it's OOF. V minor point: don't mind RHS crop (balance of shot is fine, so don't notice) but would prefer a touch more space down the bottom

TIM · 17-01-2007, 09:13

Apart from the over exposed branch, the shot is superb! The saturation is spot on and really highlights the beautiful plumage! 2 things if I really want to be picky, if you'd waited a little for the birds head to be at a less awkward angle it'd look better, and I'd have a slightly shallower dof, but that can be done in post easily.

Rob Barron · 17-01-2007, 11:20

Thanks for the comments so far. I entirely agree about the branch. it was a very light branch and hard to bring it down without darkening the bird too much. I did try burning it in but it just looked grey and not really much better than it does now. I might give it another go. If anyone else wants to try it, feel free.

I hadn't considered the space at the bottom but yup, I can see the call for a bit more space.

head angle: must be down to taste. i had loads of head angles and I liked this one. others also looked good but I am fine with this. other people's opinions on that?

Wasn't really possible to get any more DoF in camera. I was using a large lens and max aperture was about f 5.6 and the BG isn't far enough away from the bird to really get a large differential focusing. Yes, i could blur more in PS I guess.

PIMP away if you want to, i am more than happy to see alternatives.

Cheers,
Rob

**Markulous** · 17-01-2007, 22:02

Thought I'd give it a whirl!

Removed border which was emphasising very light branch and burned back branch to detail. Burned back OOF foliage on LHS (not too well, I fear!). Burned back some of the other lighter foliage. Cropped a little tighter to even the space top and left

Rob Barron · 18-01-2007, 15:17

Thanks Mark, apart from the cropping which I still feel I prefer in the original, the burning work here has definitely made a big difference, especially to the branch which is much better. I agree the leaves are better dumbed down a bit as well.

Do you think the bit of brown foliage hanging down near the macaw's head could do with cloning out? Only really noticing it now that you have cropped it. Just a thought. I appreciate your time and effort on it, thanks muchly

Rob

16-01-2007, 21:52	#1 (permalink)
Rob Barron Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poole, Dorset Posts: 5,115	Macaw This was taken in Florida 2006, I have deliberately not cropped in two tight as I feel the leaves in BG give this balance and are quite exotic looking so add to the birds own stunning plumage. Now, I KNOW I cropped a sliver too tight on the right but I don't think that matters too much. Implements as follows: Canon 20D, 100-400mm IS L series Any C&C very welcome. Cheers, Rob

16-01-2007, 22:14	#2 (permalink)
Angela Pixalo Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wimbledon Posts: 5,751	Re: Macaw I agree about the BG Rob, apart from that one leaf that appears to come out of the bird's beak...I find that one a little distracting. The wood is a little bright but, really, it is a lovely shot

16-01-2007, 22:30	#3 (permalink)
water Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Scotland Posts: 662	Re: Macaw Lovely vibrant colours and a 'coy' look at the camera.Nice. The branch is a bit distracting.

17-01-2007, 07:57	#4 (permalink)
Markulous Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Peak District Posts: 9,598	Re: Macaw Lovely bright subject against that backdrop. Agree that the branch needs burning back - as does the leaf on LHS as it's OOF. V minor point: don't mind RHS crop (balance of shot is fine, so don't notice) but would prefer a touch more space down the bottom

17-01-2007, 09:13	#5 (permalink)
TIM Getting Comfy Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 160	Re: Macaw Apart from the over exposed branch, the shot is superb! The saturation is spot on and really highlights the beautiful plumage! 2 things if I really want to be picky, if you'd waited a little for the birds head to be at a less awkward angle it'd look better, and I'd have a slightly shallower dof, but that can be done in post easily.

17-01-2007, 11:20	#6 (permalink)
Rob Barron Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poole, Dorset Posts: 5,115	Re: Macaw Thanks for the comments so far. I entirely agree about the branch. it was a very light branch and hard to bring it down without darkening the bird too much. I did try burning it in but it just looked grey and not really much better than it does now. I might give it another go. If anyone else wants to try it, feel free. I hadn't considered the space at the bottom but yup, I can see the call for a bit more space. head angle: must be down to taste. i had loads of head angles and I liked this one. others also looked good but I am fine with this. other people's opinions on that? Wasn't really possible to get any more DoF in camera. I was using a large lens and max aperture was about f 5.6 and the BG isn't far enough away from the bird to really get a large differential focusing. Yes, i could blur more in PS I guess. PIMP away if you want to, i am more than happy to see alternatives. Cheers, Rob __________________ Rob Barron robbarron@aol.com If you look down on other people, don't expect them to look up to you!

17-01-2007, 22:02	#7 (permalink)
Markulous Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Peak District Posts: 9,598	Re: Macaw Thought I'd give it a whirl! Removed border which was emphasising very light branch and burned back branch to detail. Burned back OOF foliage on LHS (not too well, I fear!). Burned back some of the other lighter foliage. Cropped a little tighter to even the space top and left

18-01-2007, 15:17	#8 (permalink)
Rob Barron Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poole, Dorset Posts: 5,115	Re: Macaw Thanks Mark, apart from the cropping which I still feel I prefer in the original, the burning work here has definitely made a big difference, especially to the branch which is much better. I agree the leaves are better dumbed down a bit as well. Do you think the bit of brown foliage hanging down near the macaw's head could do with cloning out? Only really noticing it now that you have cropped it. Just a thought. I appreciate your time and effort on it, thanks muchly Rob

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