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Hi all - would really like to know your views on this shot. The bird is 'Richard's Pipit', Anthus novaeseelandiae (also known as a ground lark). This shot was taken in the middle of a large well grassed paddock while conducting a fauna survey at Hervey Bay last week. I was lucky enough for him to perch on a scraggly bush, with a hill rising behind him, which allowed me to crouch down, focus on the bird, and get the soft focus of the hill as a backdrop. I'm really happy with it, but I keep getting asked who 'painted' the bird.

What do you think?

Cheers
Rel

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It's good, bit grainy (What ISOused? Did you use a noise reduction program to remove?) and could do with a catch light in the birds eye (did you use flash)?

Besides that, great composition. I'd be inclined to clone out the bottom right bit of foliage as that to me distracts a bit. I wouldn't crop tighter as the negative space that the bird looks into is good. As for the painted feel, that's what all the pros go for. Excuse the promotion of other websites, but check out http://www.naturescapes.net if this sort of photography floats your boat (it does mine). They have some brilliant bird photos, especially the ones from Magee Marsh in Ohio. Also check out Alister Benn and his wife Juan Li's work from China, http://www.pbase.com/alibenn/. Their photos I swear are airbrushed at times. Not sure if you saw my shots recently of birds, but I think some of them look painted. Especially the last three posted here. Click on my WWW button at the bottom and go to my bird section under animals.

blacknstormy
A beautiful image! Composition is so fragile and suits the subject perfectly. A little work on the eye, as the above post indicated, would be beneficial but the image carries itself anyway.

I think it's very effective, Rel. I can certainly see why you get asked that question. It looks like it could be an Audubon painting. Good capture and you get to take all the credit.

Btw, I meant to say in my previous post, but I don't think the framing/border is the best for this image.

animals are boring unless they are moving no offence just personal choice

Jethro, try shooting them and see how boring they really are. Attemping to nail one as sharp as a wusthoff trident knife while they sit still for long enough is a challenge in itself.

kipper your shots notwithstanding are truly incredible i have tried to fault them but i cant to me this pic is a boring shot it seems flat

The background looks like one of those stock standard "chrome" effect gradients you can get in photoshop

Not sure how people thought it was a painting tho :S

I think it's a nice shot. A bit too much noise/grain for me but nice. Maybe Jethro wants to see something like this:



But who knows? He's only good at shooting Rugby League!
Bloody Redneck whinger!!

I also have no idea why plp thought it was a painting.

I can see why people have thought it was a painting, it's the blurred background. Nice image, birds are very hard to photograph well. Good work, Max

Blacknstormy, I would be very pleased if I took that shot. Some shots look surreal, that only adds to them. Great