Sparrows Washing

[Skyline]

I had to shoot these using a fixed focus point (Canon 550D) in the center as focus was only picking the front edge of the bird bath.
I used a wireless remote for the shutter. Shutter priority used. I was about 9 meters away using a Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom AF Lens.


C&C Good or bad please.
I'd like to learn how I could get shots like these much better



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[MiniChris]

I found the bird and bath both to be a bit washed out and while you had a good shutter speed to make the splash work, the water beads didn't stand up off the background nearly clear enough. Sooooo, I really just added a bit of a levels adjustment, and a 50% overlay at 3, 7, and 13% dodging some and burning in other places (like the hard white on the bird bath).

Compositionally, all the area to the left of the bird seemed wasted, and unneeded, so I trimmed it down a bit...not sure if this is the kind of C&C you are looking for, but I think the revision helps more than it hinders.

[Skyline]

I found the bird and bath both to be a bit washed out and while you had a good shutter speed to make the splash work, the water beads didn't stand up off the background nearly clear enough. Sooooo, I really just added a bit of a levels adjustment, and a 50% overlay at 3, 7, and 13% dodging some and burning in other places (like the hard white on the bird bath).

Compositionally, all the area to the left of the bird seemed wasted, and unneeded, so I trimmed it down a bit...not sure if this is the kind of C&C you are looking for, but I think the revision helps more than it hinders.

It's a big help Chris. Thank you. I didn't like the white on the bird bath and what you have done is manage to take the eye away from it. I shall remember help like this
Nice one.
Cheers

[Peter Ryan]

I like Chris's crop, basically letting the bird look into the space rather than the space being behind him but on my screen Chris's adjustment is too strong. I prefer the original.

[Bobobird]

Chris's crop on the original pic should do it.
The only other pp might be to lighten the eye just a wee little bit.

[Skyline]

Thanks guys for the comments.

Original with just the crop like Chris had done (and the eye lightened a little)...

[Dave Humphries]

Thanks guys for the comments.

Original with just the crop like Chris had done (and the eye lightened a little)...

Ah, now this one I really like

Well done Dave

from ...

[Skyline]

Cheers Dave.

[Bobobird]

Well done. Just right now.

[Skyline]

Well done. Just right now.

Thanks Bobo. But it's the crop Chris done that makes it.