Home · Register · Join Upload & Sell

Moderated by: Fred Miranda

FM Forum Rules
Nature & Wildlife Posting Guidelines

FM Forums | Nature & Wildlife | Join Upload & Sell

2 3 end

Archive 2015 · Backyard Birds (12) WITH FOUR EDITS

Ted ellis
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Backyard Birds (12) WITH FOUR EDITS

Posting 12. This set of birds was taken over a two week period.

The last image is a composite image. All three birds were in the frame but never at the same time. Two were. It was funny watching their heads pop up and down.

Critique as you wish, I'll start it off with # 1, 4 and 5. I wish I had managed the brightness/contrast of the clump of snow in front and to the left of the card. 4 and 5 is easy. I wish the branch were not in the frame.

I will be applying your suggestions as redos in this thread.

FOUR RE-EDITS SO FAR. Please scroll down past the original 12 to see them.

Ted

5

Edited on Feb 28, 2015 at 06:44 PM · View previous versions

Feb 28, 2015 at 09:10 AM

Ted ellis
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Backyard Birds (12) WITH FOUR EDITS

6-10

Feb 28, 2015 at 09:12 AM

Ted ellis
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Backyard Birds (12) WITH FOUR EDITS

Last two.

Thanks again.

Ted

Feb 28, 2015 at 09:13 AM

Herb Houghton
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Backyard Birds (12) WITH FOUR EDITS

You have a lot of cards there Ted. I counted 8 males and 6 females in my backyard at once one evening last week.

#2 has an extremely bright BGD compared to the darker exposed bird. I'd reduce highlights in the BGD and maybe brighten mid tones in the card's face. #3 is a nice shot and comp, but the bird faces away from the viewer, less engaging for me imo. #6 is nice, but BGd is super bright. #7 is my pick.

#8 could use some details in the red chest. #9 looks like a repost of a past titmouse.

#10 is nice and sharp, but the direction he faces is shadowy and lacking details. #11 is a cool shot and looks fine the way it is.

#12 is a cool composite. I might try to reduce highlights in the foreground snow and try to make it detailed like the BGD snow above the birds. More snow coming tonight 1-3 inches.

Feb 28, 2015 at 10:26 AM

OBXGuide
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Backyard Birds (12) WITH FOUR EDITS

A great set as usual, Ted. I don't expect anything less. But in the spirit of "critique-ness" I'll throw out a couple of things. The OOF branch covering the chest in 4 and 5 kind of bothers me, but I love the pose. The high angle view in 6 doesn't appeal to me... except, I find the round body with tail pointing up is a unique perspective, and looks sort of like a Christmas tree ornament ball.

My favorites are 7 & 8, more open and a bit brighter.
#9 appears to be a repost of the edited Titmouse... and, I might add, very well done retouching too.. Just right.

In #10- I would be tempted to try cloning the upper half of the branch from in front of the birds head and put it down directly on top of the lower half of that same branch, as if it was a short branch, leaving solid background in front of the beak. Just an idea.
And, the reds of the feathers in 2, 4 & 5 seem a little dull.

Now that's being nit-picky, but doesn't diminish my enjoyment of looking over your shots. Keep 'em coming. (Oh, who the hell am I kidding. I don't enjoy being nit-picky. I'd rather just enjoy.)

Fred

Feb 28, 2015 at 11:06 AM

morris
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Backyard Birds (12) WITH FOUR EDITS

Hi Ted,

Overall a very nice set. There are a few where branches get in the way of the view and this is OK though not ideal. Exposures are always tricky when there is snow in the frame. Some of the photos could have more detail in the snow for example 6. #2 does not have the pop of your other photos and the huge white area in the bottom left is a minus. You might want to try cropping to a head shot. 7-11 are great with wonderful exposures, detail in the feathers and great use of compositional elements such as leading lines. The last is good and what makes the photo is the way the 3 birds are situated peering out from behind a mound of snow.

Morris

Feb 28, 2015 at 11:48 AM

Ted ellis
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Backyard Birds (12) WITH FOUR EDITS

2, 6, 8 AND 10 have been reworked. Back away from your monitor and you will see more snow detail in the snow on the 2nd shot.

This is what it is all about. Suggestion....implementation.

Edited on Feb 28, 2015 at 06:45 PM · View previous versions

Feb 28, 2015 at 01:34 PM

USM IS
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Backyard Birds (12) WITH FOUR EDITS

These are all fantastic Ted. Hard to really critique as I would be happy with any of them, but I am partial to the female Cardinals. I like their subtle colors. Sorry I can't say anything bad!

Mike

Feb 28, 2015 at 01:49 PM

davidearls
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Backyard Birds (12) WITH FOUR EDITS

Not much to add in terms of critique. #7 to me has the strongest physical feel of the bird in space, and the branch tip in the upper left corner works.

Feb 28, 2015 at 02:07 PM

David Leask
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Backyard Birds (12) WITH FOUR EDITS

These all look fab to me Ted. Lovely colours and sharpness in all. No favourites from me, love them all

David

Feb 28, 2015 at 02:13 PM

Plinian
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Backyard Birds (12) WITH FOUR EDITS

Looks like you had some fun in the snow, Ted!

My critique (no techs, just impressions)...like Fred, the top down view of the female card doesn't do much for me, but the bird redeemed herself in #7 which (like David said), is beautifully presented.

Greg

Feb 28, 2015 at 02:14 PM

KCollett
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Backyard Birds (12) WITH FOUR EDITS

#7 is my pick of the flock Ted. #9 is runner up. Really nice set. Good detail and you must of exposed well as the snow and the reds are not blown.

Feb 28, 2015 at 04:30 PM

Gary Lee 44
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Backyard Birds (12) WITH FOUR EDITS

Hey Hero,
Cards are always the birds that make me smile. The only CC I could honestly give you is that you should post more Cards and less Eagles. While I love the Eagles, The Lady Cards are one of the most beautiful birds anyone can post. You got them in the snow which makes them even better. #4-5 & 7 I wish I had taken!!!!! LOVE THEM BUDDY!

Feb 28, 2015 at 05:14 PM

rxgolf
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Backyard Birds (12) WITH FOUR EDITS

Wonderful sets!!
Greg

Feb 28, 2015 at 05:39 PM

angel manguel
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Backyard Birds (12) WITH FOUR EDITS

Hey Ted, These are all excellent. I especially like the female and male cardinals. Lovely comps and excellent detail in the birds. I am not bothered by which way they are looking. 1 and 3 for me for sure.

Alan

Feb 28, 2015 at 05:53 PM

rxgolf
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Backyard Birds (12) WITH FOUR EDITS

Wonderful sets!!
Greg

Feb 28, 2015 at 06:03 PM

Ted ellis
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Backyard Birds (12) WITH FOUR EDITS

Herb Houghton wrote:
You have a lot of cards there Ted. I counted 8 males and 6 females in my backyard at once one evening last week.

#8 could use some details in the red chest. #9 looks like a repost...Show more →

Redo as suggested Herb...thanks amigo

Feb 28, 2015 at 06:47 PM

surfnron
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Backyard Birds (12) WITH FOUR EDITS

Another super set Ted. Too many shots to critique them all. but I do see some hot spots in the snow, (as you mentioned). Have you tried cloning some detail into those spots? I will do that if the shot is worth the extra effort. The redo of 8 stands out ~ Ron

Feb 28, 2015 at 07:57 PM

eyelaser
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Backyard Birds (12) WITH FOUR EDITS

Your penultimate redo shot is a fave of mine Ted....it's funny how we have delved into getting the whole bird in focus from tip of bill to end of tail feathers but in this case the gentle blurring of the tail feathers as they head to the snow covered branches really really works. I'm waiting for the day I can actually shoot rather than process 4 year old files...won't be long now I hope!
Eric

Feb 28, 2015 at 08:03 PM

raymondjbarlow
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Backyard Birds (12) WITH FOUR EDITS

Well done sir, beauties!

Feb 28, 2015 at 08:20 PM

1 2 3 end
FM Forums \| Nature & Wildlife \| Join Upload & Sell 1 2 3 end

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.