Carolina Wren

[ngass]

Here's a photo of a young carolina wren on a fencepost that I took this summer. I crept up on my belly to avoid scaring him. He was with a family of them, but this was the best shot I got of any of them. Any suggestions on improving the shot, either in photoshop or in next time I get a chance?
Taken with Nikon D-80 and 180mm Tamron macro lens. f/7 or 11 and 1/200 second. ISO 320, no tripod.

[dawnita]

I really like the picture. I don't know that I would change anything. I have often wanted to get pictures of these guys but haven't gotten them to pose for me like I ask of them. Next time I will have to try the "belly crawl" technique.

Dawnita

[Photobiologist]

Neat shot! I like it. The little fellow looks right proud of himself!

Suggestions for next time: ask the parents to feed it while you take its picture.... ;) (sorry, couldn't resist).

Suggestions for now: The bright background detracts from this a bit. One suggestion to reduce that problem is to make a levels adjustment layer, and adjust the center slider to the left so that the background appropriately dark. Then select just the bird & post and use the black paint bucket to block the adjustment from the bird & post. (I hope that made sense, if not shoot me a PM).

[rpk717]

I like Robert's suggestion, the bright BG is somewhat distracting. I would also try getting the bird larger in the frame but if you look at my stuff, I probably try making the subject too large in the frame.

[ngass]

Here it is with the background darker. I toned down the greens to more of a yellow to fix it.

[Photobiologist]

That looks better to me.

[rpk717]

I agree, I like this repost better.

[ngass]

Here is the final edit. Thanks to Robert Smith, who photoshopped it. He created a second levels layer & darkened the vegetation. Then he blocked that layer from affecting the post or the wren. Then he went back to the original layer & used the magic band aid (spot healing brush) to make the smaller light spots be green. And finally he used the clone stamp tool to cover some of the larger lighter spots. Then I cropped a little tighter, and here it is.

[rpk717]

I like the final edit best, good job.