JPlumb (2884) [2009-10-06 11:39] - [workshop] [compare]

Hello Angela, this is a good capture of this fawn; you have him positioned perfectly in the frame for a great composition. There is good detail, and I like the depth of field you've selected to isolate him, yet still show the forest behind. Lighting for the most part is good, though I found the shot to have a bit of a blue cast to it. I've played a bit in a workshop to see if I could reduce this and provide you with another option.

Thanks, John

JPlumb (2884) [2009-07-16 12:46] [+]

Hi Hernan, I have never seen this bird, but I believe it is a Great Kiskadee or in Spanish this same bird is known as Benteveo, (scientific name Pitangus sulphuratus). My source for this is Stokes - Field Guild to the Birds, and there is a very good write up on it @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Kiskadee .

You have a good shot of this guy with good light and excellent detail. Your title is very appropriate given the nature of the look he is giving you.

Thanks, John

JPlumb (2884) [2009-07-15 8:00]

Hi Rick, this is a very excellent shot of this Regent Bowerbird. I never saw one of these guys while I was over, so I'll have to settle for shots from yourself. This is very well done, with excellent positioning and capture of the detail, even in the darker shadow regions. You've handled the light very well. I love that eye. If birds could speak, I wonder what he'd be saying to the photographer now. Maybe the eye says it all. Very nice.

Thanks, John

JPlumb (2884) [2009-07-15 7:50]

Hello Thorsten, this is a beautiful shot of the Green Heron. I'm in Florida myself now and have seen most of the more popular birds (I think) but haven't seen this guy yet. This provides a very excellent example for me, to go after. The shot is crystal clear and sharp, with perfect positioning on that dead tree limb. I like the depth of field you have here, giving a good sense of the environment he lives in, without having this overshadow the shot. Colour and detail are excellent. I sympathize with your upload issues, but do appreciate the pains you went through in post processing to give us, the viewer, such a great treat.

Thanks, John

JPlumb (2884) [2009-07-15 7:43]

Hello Ivan, this is a very nicely composed shot of this crab spider. The angled approach with the plant slicing corner to corner works well, providing very good visibility of the spider. Depth of field could be a little better as you suggest, but its not bad, with very good focus on the fly and head of the spider, where all the action is, and the spider stands out well against the plant. Colour is very good. Very good post-processing.

Thanks, John

JPlumb (2884) [2009-07-15 7:32] - [workshop] [compare]

Hello Kedar, this is a good shot of this Pond Heron, with good detail and colour. I like the straight on view, but for a shot like this to work, I would try to get a little lower angle, to get down to the birds level. Failing this, I would try to raise the bird a bit in the frame to give it a little more presence. To demonstrate this, I have prepared a workshop, providing you with another option.

Thanks, John

JPlumb (2884) [2009-07-15 7:20]

Hello Brigitte, this is a very excellent pose of this Painted Lady. It really is "in your face". Colour and detail are excellent, as is your depth of field, very effectively highlighting the butterfly and thistle. Given this straight on look, I would have been tempted break a couple of rules and to crop a couple of centimetres off the top and put the head dead centre in the shot. Very nicely done.

Thanks, John

JPlumb (2884) [2009-07-15 7:14]

Hello Arjun, this is a very excellent presentation of the Common Gull. He's positioned well on that leaf with a great diffused dark background. Lighting is excellent providing very excellent colour and sharp detail. Some notes on your technique would be nice.

Thanks, John

JPlumb (2884) [2009-07-15 7:11] [+]

Hello Jen, very nice shot of these 4 penguins. I like your choice of depth of field to bring the lead bird into sharp focus with a gradual drop in focus on the later ones. Control of light has been handled very well with excellent detail seen on the white of the birds and the snow. Your positioning, low, provides very good balance in the shot, and provides a great blue background to the scene. Some notes discussing technique and or processing would be nice.

Thanks, John

JPlumb (2884) [2009-07-15 7:06]

Hello Siegried, this is an excellent presentation of this Swallowtail. The composition works very well in this format, with great colour contrast seen between the butterfly and flower. Depth of field has been used well to highlight the important elements. Very nicely done.

Thanks, John