Amur Falcon (PAW 1/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by Ann:
It's a great capture. I like v2 better, it gives more of a feel of the bird within its environment.

Amethyst Sunbird I v1 (PAW 2/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by HarveyG:

Originally posted by Enlightened: From his intense look I don't imagine he stayed there very long. Thanks Tracey! A few seconds to a minute in the same spot, mostly a few soeconds but constantly hopping about. Any movement on my part and he's gone for at least another hour.

Amethyst Sunbird I v1 (PAW 2/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by Enlightened:
Wow, this is quite the capture! Thank you for the information about this bird. I am looking forward to seeing the female as well. You are very patient tracking them for a week but I can imagine the excitement you felt while watching them. From his intense look I don't imagine he stayed there very long.

Amur Falcon v2 (PAW 1/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by Enlightened:
I prefer this crop to v1. An ammazing capture either way.

Amethyst Sunbird I v1 (PAW 2/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by kasaba:

Originally posted by HarveyG: Originally posted by bsluijk: The one thing that strikes me from a technical point is the white outline around the bird and the leaves. This could be from back-lighting, but I guess this is a sharpening artifact, which for me is a bit of a letdown in an otherwise very nice image. The leaves have a hairy outer rim. Light was late afternoon but filtered through the foliage. A small amount of sharpening was done (for Web) and it may have emphasised that. I'll keep an eye in future. Thanks for pointing it out!

Not that I am an expert, but I know the plant :-). I think the white on the leaves that are in focus is definitely the edge/hairs on the plant and not an artifact. If I recalll correctly, even to the human eye that edge is light when seen ... "edge on" (is that a word?)

There is some other white artefact as well, perhaps you could get rid of that with DeNoise, don't know. If you use Topaz, there is a slider for "articaft" in the denoise, I would try that one.

For me personally the biggest problem with this picture is the lack of detail in the black feathers. I hear what you say .... :-), as a photograph of the bird I would still like to see more detail.
I like the way you included the plant and I would think, exposing to get detail into the black plumage would probably overexpose the plant ... catch 22 :-)

Congrats on "stalking" him for a week :-) - very patient you are.

Amethyst Sunbird I v1 (PAW 2/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by daisydavid:
You're doing a great job, compositions great, there's balance, colour and the scene has an implied dialogue to it. Perhaps you could post up some links to the larger versions as well to get around the dp dimension limitations.

Amethyst Sunbird I v1 (PAW 2/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by tjbel05:
Excellent...Congrats on the capture.

Amur Falcon (PAW 1/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by HarveyG:

Originally posted by daisydavid: The motivation of the shot doesn't come through, that is, the purpose of it's action. My reaction as a viewer is to wonder what the bird is up to (flying off, hunting, startled by something etc) I'm looking more for something to associate with its movement. Hope that helps. It did, thank you John for the expansive comments. I am not posting my shots with story telling just yet, saving them for another challenge :)

Message edited by author 2013-01-11 02:52:24.

Amethyst Sunbird I v1 (PAW 2/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by HarveyG:

Originally posted by Abra: I feel it may be slightly over sharpened. Possibly an effect of the web sharpening during 800px and 300kb reduction. The splash of purple on the bird (which is why, I'm sure, it has Amethyst in its name - smart, ain't I) Correct and well observed. They have an emerald cap (partially visible here and pink/rose neckline.

Amethyst Sunbird I v1 (PAW 2/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by HarveyG:

Originally posted by bsluijk: The one thing that strikes me from a technical point is the white outline around the bird and the leaves. This could be from back-lighting, but I guess this is a sharpening artifact, which for me is a bit of a letdown in an otherwise very nice image. The leaves have a hairy outer rim. Light was late afternoon but filtered through the foliage. A small amount of sharpening was done (for Web) and it may have emphasised that. I'll keep an eye in future. Thanks for pointing it out!