Anne Nettles
April 2021 - Sparrow
Original
About the Image(s)
This image was taken a few years ago in Massachusetts. Ironically, I took this Chipping Sparrow from inside my Mother's dining room while shooting through glass. The settings ISO 2000, @400mm, f 6.3, 1/3200 sec. Because the background was very distracting, I darkened the exposure, sharpened the image, lowered the highlights and shadows, and added a bit of vibrance.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
21 comments posted
I love the processing you did. This image reminds me of Joel Santori's work with the endangered species. I hope I spelled his name correctly. Posted: 04/14/2021 12:20:25
Thank you Jamie Posted: 04/15/2021 16:10:12
BTW I love Joel Satore's work--such dramatic lighting
Posted: 04/19/2021 16:58:58
Posted: 04/19/2021 16:58:58
(Group 52)
Hi Anne. Great work on the post for this lovely little fella. I noticed that you missed a tiny bit along the right side. I might suggest also slightly lightening the shadow on the side of the subject toward the head, just slightly. Nice work! Posted: 04/15/2021 14:50:24
Agree, the image is a bit spotty. I think I can definitely fix that. Posted: 04/19/2021 17:00:31
(Groups 51 & 52)
Hi Anne, you did a great job capturing this little fella especially shooting through a window which in it's self can be a challenge. Very sharp and nice catch light in the eye. Busy/distracting backgrounds can be a challenge. In some ways I would like to see some out of focus or soft background. It would be nice to have him looking into the frame instead of out of the frame but sometimes you are limited in the composition. Nicely done. Posted: 04/16/2021 10:26:10
You make a good point Pamela, I could blur the background a bit more and see how that looks. I could also flip the image horizontal to see how the bird looks. Thanks for the suggestions! Posted: 04/19/2021 17:04:03
Nice shot taken under difficult circumstances. I think you have done well to minimise the messy background. The tail is a bit soft and it might have been better if it was slightly more sideways on (but I appreciate that is not always possible). Posted: 04/18/2021 08:51:31
Andrew I agree. If that bird was more in profile, he would be more in focus--good point! Posted: 04/19/2021 17:05:42
I wanted to share that one of my long exposure images "Reaching" is one of ten images featured in this month's PSA Showcase http://psadigital.org Posted: 04/19/2021 17:09:29
Good picture in the PSA Showcase - very atmospheric. I like it a lot. Posted: 04/20/2021 01:45:43
Thank you Posted: 04/27/2021 16:25:18
Wow Anne your picture in the showcase is powerful and moving! Such good texture, motion, and metaphor all rolled into one! Congratulations on getting picked! Your image stands out in a collection of fabulous images. Posted: 04/24/2021 16:47:29
Thank you Posted: 04/27/2021 16:25:36
What a great subject you have chosen. I do like the dark background as it focuses the eye to the bird. I thought he was looking at the camera and saying something like, "Haven't you finished yet? My feet are cold!" Posted: 04/23/2021 00:33:45
Thank you Posted: 04/27/2021 16:25:59
Anne, you have a wonderful chipping sparrow portrait which, as you say, doesn't reveal that you were shooting through window glass. To be a little contrary here, I would retain the leaf and three twigged branch just to reduce the amount of black background. Posted: 04/23/2021 13:39:55
thank you, I will re-edit it in the near future and see how else I could include the original background without tit taking away from the center of interest. Posted: 04/27/2021 16:27:35
I love this little bird! The black background is a little disturbing to me emotionally, makes me feel he's in a studio. However, I agree it is better than leaving the original background. I agree excellent eye catchlight and the texture of the snow is also amazing. I suggest you keep taking more of these! Now that it is warming up you could open the window....
My husband just put bird feeders in our back yard. The window in this old house we rent is scratched beyond repair *the previous renters had a dog) but we lift it and watch the birds through the storm window. I haven't tried to take pictures yet, but you have inspired me. Posted: 04/24/2021 16:50:25
My husband just put bird feeders in our back yard. The window in this old house we rent is scratched beyond repair *the previous renters had a dog) but we lift it and watch the birds through the storm window. I haven't tried to take pictures yet, but you have inspired me. Posted: 04/24/2021 16:50:25
I was VERY surprised how sharp the image was though glass. It was nice to be warm versus being out in the cold for hours chasing birds. Thankfully, I know live in a much warmer climate and we don't need long underwear to photograph migratory birds in winter. Definitely try shooting through glass. Put your lens right up to the glass. Posted: 04/27/2021 16:30:12
Anne your picture in the show case was stunning!!!
I really like the work you did on the sparrow. I might crop the right side more since there should be more breathing space in the direction of where he is looking or heading. Posted: 04/28/2021 11:36:07
I really like the work you did on the sparrow. I might crop the right side more since there should be more breathing space in the direction of where he is looking or heading. Posted: 04/28/2021 11:36:07