Shooter41 Loc: Wichita, KS

I've been photographing Starlings fighting over food at the bird feeder. A question arose in my mind when I was trying to determine how to crop a specific image to tell my story more clearly. I would appreciate your thoughts on whether the second image is still too busy and should be simplified, OR if the message is clear this way OR could would be improved if more birds were attacking the one closest to the feeder. Any other suggestions on how to improve the image will be appreciated. I am including the original image as well as my edited image. Thank you in advance.

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frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

In my opinion you're the one or the photographer, that decides what's too busy. To me they're not busy. But then again you're edited photo is not natural there is no background. To me the first photo the best it would just need to be lightened a little bit. But as you asked, that's my opinion.

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

To my unprofessional eye, the first photo has too many distractions. The background on the cropped photo makes it look a bit unreal, or not in focus. This may have been your intentions, and what I perceive is just one persons opinion.
Have a Merry Christmas 🎄

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

To answer your question for me, When it hurts the eye to look at it.

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

For me it would be when the viewer can’t decide what is the subject.

repleo Loc: Boston

Painting is the art of addition, photography is the art of subtraction. A painter starts with a blank canvas and adds the subject and supporting context. The photographer needs subtract as much unsupporting context as possible to reveal the subject.
I think you started with a very poor image - too busy and very little contrast. Your second image is stripped of all context. I think adding the text makes it more of a graphic than a photograph but it does give it some context.
I usually hate to see signatures on a photo, but in this case I think it helps to balance the other text.
Just my thoughts and my thoughts are worth what you paid for them.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Don, I like the first image but it needs to be lighten. I don't think it is too busy. It tells a story.The second image IMHO is not realistic as a result of your post processing.Stan

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

srt101fan

Interesting question in your subject line. If we go to the world of painting for a moment, Breughel's work comes to mind (https://www.wikiart.org/en/pieter-bruegel-the-elder/the-fight-between-carnival-and-lent-1559-1). I don't think too many would critique his paintings as too busy. So having lots of things going on in the frame is not a measure of "too busy".

But Breughel's visual elements, as numerous as they are, have been carefully arranged to support and reinforce the main theme of the painting. But, as repleo said in an earlier post, "a painter starts with a blank canvas and adds the subject and supporting context". You can't do that. Someone else mentioned distractions. So I think your first photo is "too busy" (if you want to call it that) only because you have too many visual elements that detract from, rather than support the subject.

Achieving what you're trying to convey in your image is tough. You have only limited control over the "distractions" and no control over the main subjects, the birds. Maybe this is a case where "spray and pray" is called for!? Your second picture, to me, no longer conveys the "fighting over food" story. It is an interesting
graphic image. I'm usually not a sharpness freak, but this would probably have been be helped with better focus.

Interesting topic with good images to discuss. I'd love to hear from more knowledgeable folks on how your photos could be technically improved.

Shooter41 Loc: Wichita, KS

Dear frankraney...Is this new second image with the background included more natural and "better" in telling my story than the first one with no background? Thank you again for your opinion.

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Shooter41 Loc: Wichita, KS

Dear Cookie...Is this new image with the background included have fewer distractions and look less out of focus than the birds floating in space? Or my shooting far away in the early-morning, poor-lighting at a high ISO make all of the pictures look out of focus? Thanks again for your opinion.

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Shooter41 Loc: Wichita, KS

Dear BassmanBruce...Can you tell what the subject is in these two images? Which image of the two tells my story best in your estimation? Or are they both shot in such poor early morning light at such a high ISO that they are of such poor focus that they are worthless. Thanks again for your opinion.

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Shooter41 Loc: Wichita, KS

Dear repleo...I agree. The image I started with wasn't worth the effort I put in trying to save it. Is this image taken in better light any better? Thank you for your thoughts.

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frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Yes, but for me the first, if lightened some, is still better. It tells more of a story.

repleo Loc: Boston

Shooter, the IQ of the pair is obviously much better, but I prefer the 'three's' composition. It has more flow. The mirror imaged pair reminds me of a Rorschach test.