A shot in the snow: This was taken using a Sigma 120-300mm f2.8 lens and a Sigma 2X TC. I don't use this combination very often, I have never been a big fan of 2X TC's. In the past it...

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

This was taken using a Sigma 120-300mm f2.8 lens and a Sigma 2X TC. I don't use this combination very often, I have never been a big fan of 2X TC's. In the past it seemed there was too much lost in the IQ, but have decided to work with it more and try to use it better. I can see the advantage to using a 2X at times. A photo like this one makes me question my reasoning. How acceptable is the detail in this photo? Keep in mind that the snow did interfere with focusing.

Have fun playing with it. Do as you please. I am looking forward to your thoughts and comments.

Jim D

Heirloom Tomato Loc: Oregon

oldtool2 wrote:

This was taken using a Sigma 120-300mm f2.8 lens a... (show quote)

I love the colors, the falling snow, the snow on the bird's beak, and the composition. It would be better if it were sharper. Have you considered removing the vertical dark areas on the right of the frame?

Nightski

Beautiful sharp image of this bird. Nicely exposed for the falling snow. It looks like it's floating. Is there maybe a more interesting composition choice on this one? Overall it's a heart warming image.

Nightski

You've even got the snow on his beak. Precious.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

Heirloom Tomato wrote:

I love the colors, the falling snow, the snow on the bird's beak, and the composition. It would be better if it were sharper. Have you considered removing the vertical dark areas on the right of the frame?

No, I really had not thought about that. Here is the photo cropped a little tighter removing that area.

Jim D

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

Nightski wrote:

Beautiful sharp image of this bird. Nicely exposed for the falling snow. It looks like it's floating. Is there maybe a more interesting composition choice on this one? Overall it's a heart warming image.

Nightski,

Thank you! Is the new crop better?

Jim D

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

Nightski wrote:

You've even got the snow on his beak. Precious.

That is one of the things I love about this photo!

Jim D

Heirloom Tomato Loc: Oregon

oldtool2 wrote:

No, I really had not thought about that. Here is the photo cropped a little tighter removing that area.

Jim D

I like it better this way. The color scheme looks more pure and cohesive without the green and dark vertical element. Just the bird, the sky and the snow. :thumbup:

Nightski

oldtool2 wrote:

No, I really had not thought about that. Here is the photo cropped a little tighter removing that area.

Jim D

Ahh..HT...right again...that photo is awesome now Jim. Nicely done. It's just the bird and the snow. It makes me feel for that tiny little bird in the winter elements.

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

A nice interesting image but the focus is not sharp where it should be on the bird's face, in my opinion. I think the tighter crop improves the centered composition and you might wish to try a vertical crop to see how it looks. 8-)

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

oldtool2 wrote:

No, I really had not thought about that. Here is the photo cropped a little tighter removing that area.

Jim D

Very pleasing image. I like it with this crop for general composition. Even though there is some detail missing (either from the shot itself or from editing or noise reduction), it is still a very pretty photo that conveys a profound creatures-in-winter emotion. As long as you don't try to print it big it should be a keeper for you. I am forever challenged by getting tack sharp birds, and when I do it is accident rather than skill. But something that conveys as much appeal as this should be kept, and displayed emphasizing its strengths (mood, emotion, color) - think small print/big mat/rustic wood frame.

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

oldtool2 wrote:

This was taken using a Sigma 120-300mm f2.8 lens a... (show quote)

I cannot understand why you need to ask about the acceptability of the detail as there is no detail visible whatsoever. Quite frankly, technically this photograph is a shocker. Overall the focus is poor then N/R processing obliterated the rest. And the bird has no eyes.......

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

Nightski wrote:

Ahh..HT...right again...that photo is awesome now Jim. Nicely done. It's just the bird and the snow. It makes me feel for that tiny little bird in the winter elements.

Thank you, I appreciate the compliment.

Jim D

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

Bmac wrote:

A nice interesting image but the focus is not sharp where it should be on the bird's face, in my opinion. I think the tighter crop improves the centered composition and you might wish to try a vertical crop to see how it looks. 8-)

Thank you. I tried a vertical crop and it didn't work for me.

As for the focus, it was hard to get anything to focus with a 1,000 (guessing on this) snow flakes between the lens and the bird. The camera didn't know where, or what, to lock on to. Shooting in a rain storm is the same way. Every time something, a rain drop or snow flake, gets between the camera lens and the target the focus changes. It gets to be a lot of fun, making a good sharp photo almost imposable.

Jim D

Heirloom Tomato Loc: Oregon

oldtool2 wrote:

Thank you. I tried a vertical crop and it didn't work for me.

As for the focus, it was hard to get anything to focus with a 1,000 (guessing on this) snow flakes between the lens and the bird. The camera didn't know where, or what, to lock on to. Shooting in a rain storm is the same way. Every time something, a rain drop or snow flake, gets between the camera lens and the target the focus changes. It gets to be a lot of fun, making a good sharp photo almost imposable.

Jim D

It's a cute photo anyway, Jim, very appealing. Not every photo has to be National Geographic quality to be enjoyable to see. No one is paying us to post these images so we can't get fired if an image isn't tack sharp. :-P