Does This Composition Work? (Downy Woodpecker)


Posted by Ken Kovak on Fri Aug 29, 2003 6:21 pm

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So does this composition work? I intentionally placed the downy with the light background spot behind him so that he didn't get lost in the dark green background.

Taken in my backyard as he was dining on my homemade suet mix, like he does almost every day.

Cropped from a horiziontal into a vertical format.

Canon Elan IIe
Canon 100-400 IS
Kodak Ektachrome 100VS
Some fill flash ? but exposure unrecorded
handheld
some USM after the scan
Ken Kovak - Lehigh Valley, PA
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by Robert Kemmerlin on Fri Aug 29, 2003 7:08 pm
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Ken,

I like the shot but I have a couple suggestions that might be an improvement. The first is using a tripod. I used to shoot an IS lens without using a tripod but once I started seeing how much the image improved I've used a tripod nearly 100% of the time since. The second suggestion is to crop the bottom so that you don't see the cut. Otherwise a fine image.
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by Mpresti on Fri Aug 29, 2003 9:32 pm
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Ken,
cropping from hor to vert was definetely a good move!

Perhaps softening the flash light a bit (e.g. w/ a softbox) would improve this capture.

Positioning of the light BG behind the downy was also a good move.
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by Alan Murphy on Fri Aug 29, 2003 10:04 pm
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Ken, Nice shot.

Since you were moving things, I would suggest tring for a less contrasty background. Try to find a green tree or a lawn.
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by Jim Probst on Fri Aug 29, 2003 11:07 pm
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Ken,

I agree with cropping from the bottom to remove the end of the feeder, otherwise, it is an excellent image!
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by Rich S on Sat Aug 30, 2003 9:38 am
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Cropping off the bottom is a good idea; otherwise, the composition is fine. If you're going to set it up again, a uniform light green background might be best but picking a light spot as done here is a reasonable alternative if a uniform light background isn't available. Strongest feature IMO is the pose of the bird, slightly askew, looking at the hold but with the head turned so you can see his face as well. Nice job of setting this up.

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by Heather Forcier on Sat Aug 30, 2003 5:08 pm
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I like it as a vertical, my suggestion would be to crop to hide the edge of the feeder and it would work well as a more natural shot.

A sunlit green background might keep the the bird from getting lost. Patches of white can sometimes distract the viewer's eye from the subject.

That's fantastic that you have a regular Downy as a visitor, what a great opportunity!
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by Juli Wilcox on Sun Aug 31, 2003 12:50 pm
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Ken, I think the bird's placement in front of the light is cool. I especially like that. As to your question, I guess move the bird out of dead center, chuck the frame as it confuses the focus, cut back on the PS work as the image is grainy and although nicely sharp, go for a tri-pod or other stable platform to make it even better. Hope this helps. :)
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by Anthony Medici on Mon Sep 01, 2003 7:03 pm
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I agree with what has been said to date. In terms of presentation here, try to selectively sharpen the image as not to aggravate the noise in the smooth background areas.
Tony
 

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