Cardinal
Viewing comments for Page 31 "Close"Male and female Cardinals
42 total reviews
Comment from kathybleichroth
Is there really only 5 stars to give?? This has got to be one of the best pictures I have ever seen!! Absolutely amazing!!!
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2011
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Is there really only 5 stars to give?? This has got to be one of the best pictures I have ever seen!! Absolutely amazing!!!
Comment Written 01-Dec-2011
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2011
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Thank you so very much!
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You are quite welcome :)
Comment from Nic
I was drawn to this shot. I love the crop and the sharp detail of the feathers. I like that you thought outside the box for thIs competition entry. I really enjoye this shot well done!
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2011
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I was drawn to this shot. I love the crop and the sharp detail of the feathers. I like that you thought outside the box for thIs competition entry. I really enjoye this shot well done!
Comment Written 01-Dec-2011
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2011
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Thanks
Comment from Flight_of_Raven
In this shot I'm rather inclined to say that you cropped too closely.. There's a whole lot of impact with this cropping, potentially, as the eye is right there, in my face, looking somewhat terrified of me, but I think in this case the costs weren't worth the benefits. The costs:
1) Grain is very visible in the eye. This is caused, I imagine, from a combination of the 400 speed ISO and the cropping.
2) The sharpness in the eye area seems to have been lost a little bit, and it appears like you may have tried to push it?
3) Some of the story is lost with a composition like this.. more is left to the imagination, which is a plus, but there's less for us to build off of, which I believe to be unfortunate.
4) We can see the flash in the eye of bird.
That's not to say this composition doesn't work, because it definitely does. It's an excellent study of patterns in nature.. the interaction of all the feathers and colors on a nearly microscopic level (well okay, not really microscopic, but it feels like it!). Unfortunately, with the eye so prevalent, the patterns don't really take center stage.
My advice to make this shot the best that it can be (by "this shot," I guess I mean close-up bird shots in general) is to use a more shallow depth of field and make sure that focus is definitely on the eye... the background patterns being sharper just feels weird to me. I think an overall softer feeling wouldn't hurt, use a lower ISO speed, and try to use natural light? (or at least diffuse the flash?). Also, if you really want to present a picture this close, I recommend actually zooming this close.. cropping will distort details and you may not be able to guarantee the precise placement of your focal point when shooting with a small focal distance.
Regardless, a very powerful image that I still find somewhat terrifying (in the good way)!
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2011
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In this shot I'm rather inclined to say that you cropped too closely.. There's a whole lot of impact with this cropping, potentially, as the eye is right there, in my face, looking somewhat terrified of me, but I think in this case the costs weren't worth the benefits. The costs:
1) Grain is very visible in the eye. This is caused, I imagine, from a combination of the 400 speed ISO and the cropping.
2) The sharpness in the eye area seems to have been lost a little bit, and it appears like you may have tried to push it?
3) Some of the story is lost with a composition like this.. more is left to the imagination, which is a plus, but there's less for us to build off of, which I believe to be unfortunate.
4) We can see the flash in the eye of bird.
That's not to say this composition doesn't work, because it definitely does. It's an excellent study of patterns in nature.. the interaction of all the feathers and colors on a nearly microscopic level (well okay, not really microscopic, but it feels like it!). Unfortunately, with the eye so prevalent, the patterns don't really take center stage.
My advice to make this shot the best that it can be (by "this shot," I guess I mean close-up bird shots in general) is to use a more shallow depth of field and make sure that focus is definitely on the eye... the background patterns being sharper just feels weird to me. I think an overall softer feeling wouldn't hurt, use a lower ISO speed, and try to use natural light? (or at least diffuse the flash?). Also, if you really want to present a picture this close, I recommend actually zooming this close.. cropping will distort details and you may not be able to guarantee the precise placement of your focal point when shooting with a small focal distance.
Regardless, a very powerful image that I still find somewhat terrifying (in the good way)!
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 01-Dec-2011
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2011
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thank you
Comment from darjenka
oh my goodness..I could not take my eyes off his eye ..mesmerizing image..you can almost see into his very existence ..such a good exposure and capture , crop...you really nailed it for the contest !!great photograph
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2011
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oh my goodness..I could not take my eyes off his eye ..mesmerizing image..you can almost see into his very existence ..such a good exposure and capture , crop...you really nailed it for the contest !!great photograph
Comment Written 01-Dec-2011
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2011
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Thank you so very much!
Comment from Wrights Wow Pictures
Initial Impact 6
Does Title Match Picture? 6
Composition 6
Lighting 5.5
Creativity of Presentation 6
Story Telling Ability 6
Technique 6
Color Harmony 5.5
Center of Interest 5.5
Notes 5.5
Overall Impact 6
Total 64
Average 5.818181818
Comments: A cyber 5.5 coming your way. Thatâ??s about as up close and personal as I want to be to this or any other cardinal. Great definition. Good Focus. Great Picture. Thanks for the good artist notes. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2011
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Initial Impact 6
Does Title Match Picture? 6
Composition 6
Lighting 5.5
Creativity of Presentation 6
Story Telling Ability 6
Technique 6
Color Harmony 5.5
Center of Interest 5.5
Notes 5.5
Overall Impact 6
Total 64
Average 5.818181818
Comments: A cyber 5.5 coming your way. Thatâ??s about as up close and personal as I want to be to this or any other cardinal. Great definition. Good Focus. Great Picture. Thanks for the good artist notes. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 30-Nov-2011
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2011
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Thank you so very much!
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You are very welcome
Comment from mobil69
could close up of the eyes good effect good tech good center of interest good contrast good harmony good lighting
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2011
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could close up of the eyes good effect good tech good center of interest good contrast good harmony good lighting
Comment Written 30-Nov-2011
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2011
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Thank you so very much!
Comment from MariaB
Very sharp. This is really interesting. I like that you got part of the beak, setting the eye just off center. The colors are very nice as well.
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2011
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Very sharp. This is really interesting. I like that you got part of the beak, setting the eye just off center. The colors are very nice as well.
Comment Written 30-Nov-2011
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2011
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Thank you so very much for a good review and high score!
Comment from KayleighMay
Wow. The clarity is amazing. This is almost scary. Love the composition and the dof. The feathers texture gives the photo a real sharp look.
reply by the author on 30-Nov-2011
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Wow. The clarity is amazing. This is almost scary. Love the composition and the dof. The feathers texture gives the photo a real sharp look.
Comment Written 30-Nov-2011
reply by the author on 30-Nov-2011
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thanks
Comment from bellamahri
Do you study bird irisology? :)
Wonderful initial impact, lighting and composition.
Magnificent details and colors!
Very well done!
Thank you for sharing!
reply by the author on 30-Nov-2011
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Do you study bird irisology? :)
Wonderful initial impact, lighting and composition.
Magnificent details and colors!
Very well done!
Thank you for sharing!
Comment Written 30-Nov-2011
reply by the author on 30-Nov-2011
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Thank you so very much for a great review and high score!
Comment from Finkie
whow talk about a birds eye view! Fantastic colour, detail and impact. Well done and thanks for sharing
reply by the author on 30-Nov-2011
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whow talk about a birds eye view! Fantastic colour, detail and impact. Well done and thanks for sharing
Comment Written 30-Nov-2011
reply by the author on 30-Nov-2011
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Thank you so very much!