Common Grackle Black on Black

[PixelRabbit]

I like the original composition and the noise doesn't bother me, but the area in the upper left seems a bit too bright to me. You could darken it some without losing the textures and shapes and then it would not compete with the bird in brightness; it would recede more into the background. Same for that spot under its tail.

Very nice image in any case. Is this a young one? Usually they are darker than this in the summer.

Thanks Ken, I noticed the bit under his tail after the fact (of course lol) I will play with the rocks and see what I come up with, good suggestion, I thought it was the branch on the top of the rocks that was drawing my eye but it might be the rocks in general.

It is likely a young one, but I'm not going to say for sure, I've totally lost track of who's who out there lol

Nice shot Pixel!
It reminds me of a Robert Bateman painting for some reason.

Thanks BlackSheep One of my favourite artists!

I like the original edit better. I feel I would like to see a few cm on the bottom of the image though. I feel it might create more balance with the background elements. I am not sure though, I would have to see it first.

Thanks Jake, I agree a weee bit more on the bottom would be nice. Unfortunately there are large drilled holes in the thing he is standing on and they really draw the eye. You can actually see a bit of one on the bottom right.

After hearing more about what and why you were trying to capture the image the way you did, I see why my edit is complete sheet, and subsequently ruined everything you were going for.. I hope I didn't offend, either. I tend to explain things to the n-th degree for no apparent reason, haha.. I consider myself corrected!

You far from offended me Crimbfighter, I very much appreciate your C&C it wasn't wrong by any means it was just a different take

This may be a common grackle but I don't think they are common in my yard so, as far as I am concerned, it is an un-common grackle.

That being said it is a very nice capture and I love the composition.

What do you think of lowering the intensity of the light on the gravel? It seems a bit strong and gets attention when it needn't.

Thanks Lew, I like it! I liked the contrast with it "aux natural" but with it being the brightest thing it did compete a bit, nice edit

Nice shot. I like that you got the eye and that the bird is quite sharp and well-defined against the background. Thanks for sharing.
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WesternGuy

Thanks WesternGuy

Judi, those birds are tough to shoot well. You did an excellent job and other than Lew's lowering the brightness of the gravel, everything else (composition, posing, lighting, focusing) works. The eye is clear, the way the light falls on its back is wonderful in delineating the shape and separating the bird from the background, and your choice of background seems very appropriate. Again, I'm just echoing the earlier comments for the most part. The only niggle for me is that I'd love to see the image at higher resolution.

Thanks Pgriz These guys were driving me crazy trying to get something "different" I'm glad I kept at it.

 

[raygunboost]

Well shot love the dark tone of the bird.