Turtle Doves - how can I make this image pop!

[gaelicsea]

Here are two images of some turtle doves that were sitting on my fence. I am using a 100m zoom lens on a Canon Rebel XTi.

The first image is the cropped/sharpened image and the second is the original. When I look at the other bird/nature images on this site I am wowed by the clarity and how they generally pop. Is there something that I can do to this image to make it pop? Anything in PS to get me there or is an upgrade in order? Thanks for any help!!!

f/5, 1/250s, ISO-400

Cropped/Sharpened Version



Original Version

[TobyMac]

Hey
I actually like the pic the way it is, not sure much more pop is required

Not sure if you have seen this but this thread might have some tips you'r looking for

Bird Photography

[dje]

Hi Teresa

The birds look nice and sharp and well focussed to me. A couple of suggestions

Reduce the brightness of the background considerably ( I find it a bit distracting)

Increase the contrast, colour saturation and possibly the brightness of the birds and wooden beam

Cheers Dave

[Kiwi Ric]

This is my throw on giving a lil pop a lil more contrast, more depth with the blacks, a bit of a vignett to leed the eye to the birds and dull the back ground abit. also added a little saturation Im no expert by a long shot but thought this gave it a little edge.

[gaelicsea]

Very nice Ric. Definitely allows the focus to go to the birds.

[gaelicsea]

I changed the background and increased the saturation and contrast on the birds as suggested. Too much?

[dje]

I changed the background and increased the saturation and contrast on the birds as suggested. Too much?

Hi Teresa

I think this is a big improvement and I think you've got the treatment on the birds just right. Could I suggest you try a little gaussian blur and a little brighness reduction on the new background (easiest to do this before you paste it in). It may come down to a personal preference but I think it's worth comparing.

Cheers Dave

[MrB]

In addition to local contrast and saturation, how about adding a little sparkle to the eyes?



Philip