Candid of a Spoonbill: I normally find sitting birds to be boring other than to document I've captured my first shot of any specific type. After getting this type of shot I go for the...

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

I normally find sitting birds to be boring other than to document I've captured my first shot of any specific type. After getting this type of shot I go for the BIF or some other type of action. This photo was taken down in the swamps of SW Florida and I don't know if it's the way the bird is standing, the texture in the damp feathers, the deep black eyes, the evening light, or the soft colors of the foliage but I enjoy this one. I can't say much about my PP so I've included the original if you want to help improve on my take.

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

I like this shot. Not much to critique.
Simple is usually better.
I like the slight warming of your edit.
Nice!

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

I am going to give this a try. I love what you have done with the pp except for that branch that runs through the lower part of the bird. Every time I looked at the image all I saw was that branch. I know that that is how it was and you may want to keep it in.
I love the expressiveness of the pose.

snails_pace Loc: Utah

Would love to see one of these. Very nice image.

Removed some distracting elements, sharpened a bit and adjusted levels. I'll leave cropping to you since I can't seem to get it right.

snails_pace Loc: Utah

ugh .... didn't check "store original".

Heirloom Tomato Loc: Oregon

I like your edit, and think it's the best one so far. You even have a little catch light in the Spoonbill's eye. I think you got the color just right, and the crop too.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Thanks Russ

PalePictures wrote:

I like this shot. Not much to critique.
Simple is usually better.
I like the slight warming of your edit.
Nice!

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Thanks Country's Mama, I've gotten use to the little distractions of the wild.
The Spoonbills should be gathering soon down in the Everglades again this year. Hoping to get more and better photos.

Country's Mama wrote:

I am going to give this a try. I love what you have done with the pp except for that branch that runs through the lower part of the bird. Every time I looked at the image all I saw was that branch. I know that that is how it was and you may want to keep it in.
I love the expressiveness of the pose.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Thanks Snail pace for the edit.

snails_pace wrote:

ugh .... didn't check "store original".

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Thank you, Heirloom Tomato, Can't wait to get back to them this year.

Heirloom Tomato wrote:

I like your edit, and think it's the best one so far. You even have a little catch light in the Spoonbill's eye. I think you got the color just right, and the crop too.

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

fstop22 wrote:

I normally find sitting birds to be boring other t... (show quote)

Martin,

I, too prefer my birds to be doing something. if I take a still shot, I want the bird to have a certain look that helps the image to engage with the viewer. You have such a picture in this one. I can't help but think that the background is too busy and distracting. So, here is my take on a crop. I have zoomed in on the part of the picture that really draws you in...that look. Let me know what you think

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

birdpix wrote:

Martin,

I, too prefer my birds to be doing something. if I take a still shot, I want the bird to have a certain look that helps the image to engage with the viewer. You have such a picture in this one. I can't help but think that the background is too busy and distracting. So, here is my take on a crop. I have zoomed in on the part of the picture that really draws you in...that look. Let me know what you think

Wow! I really like this.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Nice Crop.. The darn bird even looks to be smiling.

birdpix wrote:

Martin,

I, too prefer my birds to be doing something. if I take a still shot, I want the bird to have a certain look that helps the image to engage with the viewer. You have such a picture in this one. I can't help but think that the background is too busy and distracting. So, here is my take on a crop. I have zoomed in on the part of the picture that really draws you in...that look. Let me know what you think

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

fstop22 wrote:

I normally find sitting birds to be boring other t... (show quote)

I just change the crop so the Spoonie was off center. Like the photo

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

mborn wrote:

I just change the crop so the Spoonie was off center. Like the photo

Since the spoonie is facing to the left I would have left more room on that side and less on the right.