Is there a better way: I tried to put a close-up inset of the woodpecker but, don't really like how it turned out. Any suggestions? Photo was shot through window at about 100 feet so...

RegisG Loc: Mid-Tennessee

I tried to put a close-up inset of the woodpecker but, don't really like how it turned out. Any suggestions? Photo was shot through window at about 100 feet so quality isn't that great.

Thanks,
Regis

Inset with background

(Download)

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

RegisG wrote:

I tried to put a close-up inset of the woodpecker but, don't really like how it turned out. Any suggestions? Photo was shot through window at about 100 feet so quality isn't that great.

Thanks,
Regis

Looks like you had enough light, why did you use ISO 800? Also, shooting through your window doesn't help.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

RegisG wrote:

I tried to put a close-up inset of the woodpecker but, don't really like how it turned out. Any suggestions? Photo was shot through window at about 100 feet so quality isn't that great.

Thanks,
Regis

Regis, the woodpecker is your main draw, not the feeder. I would try again, select just the woodpecker, probably in a rectangular shape, then place it in the bottom left hand corner, about 20 pixels away from the bottom and left hand sides of the photo. In addition, in your main photo, you may want to put some sort of vignette effect about the feeding bird to draw attention to it, and not the background.

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

mdorn wrote:

Looks like you had enough light, why did you use ISO 800? Also, shooting through your window doesn't help.

I think he was trying to keep his shutter speed up.
I would try again at ISO 400, Aperture priority, wide open and see what shutter speeds you get. And USE A TRIPOD!

As a photography instructor I'm friends with says, 'Fill the Frame'! Having to do such a heavy crop to get what you're looking for, means that you're just too far away.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

When I do these kinds of things, I will usually put a small drop shadow behind the inset photo to separate it better from the background photo.

RegisG Loc: Mid-Tennessee

Thanks everyone for all the tips. I shot 1st with low ISO (100) and rushed to higher before he took off. Today was the 1st time I ever saw this one.
Even with the weak photo, you've given me some ideas on how to handle the inset. I'll work with it some more.

Wish I had that 600 that Regis T has....

Thanks again,
Regis