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What a difference....


What a difference....
Photo Information
Copyright: Andy Cole (flagman) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 351 W: 44 N: 607] (2408)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-04-25
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Canon 70-200 f/4L, Hoya Super HMC Pro1 67mm Sky1B
Exposure: f/4, 1/800 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Travelogue: A week in Elveden Forest
Theme(s): Rouge-gorge / Robin (part. 1), Robins [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-05-11 11:53
Viewed: 5222
Points: 23
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
.......a Lens makes!
I wondered why this shot was so poor before, and it was generally agreed that the EF-S 18-55 lens was not just completely wrong for this type of shot, but it was way too soft and generally rubbish at wide apertures. So I went out and bought the best lens I could afford which was a EF 70-200 F/4L. OK, so some people said it wasn't long enough and they were probably right in some cases but this lens has a very useful range and so far I really like it.
Photo shot in RAW mode, custom white balance applied in PP, adjusted levels, increased saturation & contrast by 20%, re-size, USM 200%/1
It's not perfect but a massive improvement on my forst robin post, I'm sure you will agree. Any criticism's welcomed, I need to learn more!!
Andy.
pgmoni, AndyB, coasties, sAner, marhowie, hummingbird24 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Alot better, that's for sure. Excelent work.
I would still go for some cropping, I don't think it will harm anything. Give it a go.
Maybe something like this?

Mike

Yes, this is better. The 1/800th shutter speed will also help to keep things sharp, but in general I think you'll find the new lens a much better piece of glass...

As for the actual image, sharp and clear, but to me too much dead space over on the top left area, may have looked better shot in "portrait" format then cropped down a little?

  • Great 
  • pgmoni Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 343 W: 100 N: 637] (2769)
  • [2005-05-11 14:03]

Much better indeed ! And Spring makes a difference too, doesn't it ? I like the composition and the soft BG. Some more light on the bird (fill flash ?) would perhaps have made it even better. Keep up the good work
Philippe

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1538 W: 5 N: 2240] (12636)
  • [2005-05-11 22:05]

Une belle composition, j'aime bien l'espace laissé dans limage et le Bg.

Félicitations pour l'éclairage et la netteté.

Very good picture, Andy.
It's much better than the first one.
Good details and nice colours. IMO just a kittle more contrast. Mike did a good WS about the cropping.
Very well done.

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1366 W: 32 N: 1351] (3982)
  • [2005-05-12 3:42]

A very nice capture.
I really like the pose,the details and DOF are great too.
A tighter crop would improve the composition,Mike did a good workshop there.
Good work,well done.

Nice shot. I like how the bird has stretched up to stand tall. A bit tighter crop would have enhanced the shot. Much better than your first. Well done!

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1455 W: 74 N: 1426] (4750)
  • [2005-05-12 15:19]

Heya Alan,

Pose of the bird is priceless. The photo is sharp, has nice colors and is fairly well composed. I agree with the others that there is a little too much space on the left but not way too much. The WS of Mike is very good. TFS!

Keep 'em coming man!

Regards,
Pieter

Yes, a lovely shot with this new lens, Andy.
I especially like the setting and good BG on this image, however, agree with Mike and his well done ws, re: the crop.
Thank you for sharing this great composition with us.

Andy, Great shot and I'm glad to see this first shot with your new lens. Very good sharpness and colors with my only nit the landscape framing..Great work!

A very nice capture. You will certainly not regret getting that lens but it will make you use your other lenses much less ;-)

  • Great 
  • AgnesL (46)
  • [2006-07-04 10:03]

I think your lens has done you proud. This capture is a beauty. Sure wish we had this beautiful robin in this country. He is a delight to the eye. I am dying to get my hands on the new Nikkor AF 18-200mm VR that is supposed to be so wonderful. They are as scarce as hen's teeth, however. So guess I will wait a while.

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