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ctfchallenge | all galleries >> Challenge 129 - Backlighting >> Challenge 129 - Eligible > White Breasted Nuthatch *
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19-MAR-2007 Michael Shealy

White Breasted Nuthatch *

Black Forest, CO

Canon EOS 20D ,Sigma 150mm f2.8 EX DG Macro
1/1250s f/2.8 at 150.0mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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ctfchallenge25-Mar-2007 17:43
The shallow DOF works well here. I dont't think that more USM would improve the details of the bird's face, probably it would only increase sharpening artefacts. You have found the right compromise. -gerald
ctfchallenge24-Mar-2007 03:22
I like the compostion making the bird look like it's about to jump. -COAmature
ctfchallenge20-Mar-2007 17:19
Very cool! The selective focus range of the sharp branch & backside of the bird contrast nicely with the softer beak, face & fantasy background. The whole feel is fresh, clean & a bit sureal. The subdued tones are great!
TomD.
Rod 20-Mar-2007 11:26
The birds head looks like it's carved out of wood with the very flat angles but the back half looks good. So half well done mate:-)
ctfchallenge20-Mar-2007 08:42
Cut little bird Mikey. I think the softness comes from the very shallow DOF in this shot. The bit of bark and tail look sharp but because the DOF is so shallow at f/2.8, the angle of the Nuthatch makes the head appear to be out of focus to me. Still, a cute picture and I like the composition. CJ
ctfchallenge20-Mar-2007 05:37
Thanks for the comments, Rich, Brent & Jano. The 'coolness' of this pic is actually the color of our forest in shade. This little guy was hopping up and down this tree feeding and I took a bunch of pix of him/her, mostly in the shade. In this one, he/she had just jumped to the edge of the shadow into the sunlight and my view past him/her is of the sky and pine boughs way above. I felt like it was a fine shot the way it was, without 'warming' it.
Jano - Thanks for mentioning it, I gave it a touch of USM and I think that's better, no?
Warm fuzzies, -mikey
ctfchallenge20-Mar-2007 03:24
This is well back lit. I know I'm half blind with drops in my eyes, but this seems really soft to me and very green/bluish? Probably a hard pic to capture though :) jano
Brent 20-Mar-2007 01:20
Very nice Michael. I was was struck by the overall "coolness" of this image too. You always seem to come up with some great nature shots.
ctfchallenge20-Mar-2007 01:05
Nice capture of a bird that hardly ever stops moving, I like the cool colors too. Rich