Bob Benson, FPSA, EPSA
March 2023 - Coming in for a Landing
About the Image(s)
I wanted to play around with motion on birds. I could predict where the sparrows in the back yard would tend to fly as they came into the feeder, so I just set up the zoom and waited, I did not want to get stop motion entirely, but I am not sure if capturing the wing blur like this is effective, or if the brighter spots are too distracting. I had to deal with bright bokeh from the light coming through the background leaves.
In Photoshop, I used Topaz sharpening, darkened the background, enhanced the catchlight in the eye, and really darkened the bright circles as much as I could.
254 mm at ISO 10,000, 1/2000 sec at f9
This round’s discussion is now closed!
5 comments posted
I like the balance you got between the quite sharp head of the bird and the movement in its wings. So, I think you achieved your goal. Its positioning is very effective (the cropping worked well), and I don't find the light spots in the background distracting. The color of the background complements very well the color of the bird. Posted: 03/06/2023 17:49:23
I like the experiment! Nice image indeed. Although I think that Topaz or the editing of the background in Photoshop has done something with the edge of the wings, especially the one on the right (left wing of the bird). The edge seems unnatural to me, maybe because of the editing done (selection of the BG might have not been precise enough)? There seems to be a white halo but also a green edge. Nothing else to comment, the head of the bird is nice and sharp, and I do not mind the bokeh in the BG. Posted: 03/07/2023 03:15:27
I like the image a lot, too! It is a lovely idea that brings the sense of movement into the image in a very interesting way, and the background adds beautifully to the airy mood. About the edge of the wings, I have very similar experiences with Topaz Sharpen AI in images that have clearly blurred areas - I wonder if selective sharpening of the rest of the image and leaving the edges of the wings intact (they are meant to be blurred anyway) would work? Posted: 03/08/2023 08:56:33
This is a great nature shot. I like the movement in the wings which makes the bird less static. The background bokeh is good, but my eye is immediately drawn to the bright yellow circle in front of the beak. I would clone it out unless you intend to use it in a nature salon. Posted: 03/09/2023 10:17:58
I like that the bird's beak and eyes are sharp, and the wings exhibit motion blur. The bokeh looks nice as well. It is a pity that the bird has a broken feather but this is nature anyway. A great shot. Posted: 03/19/2023 10:17:56