Australian wild parrot

[Jocelyn Walker]

Your comments, critique or suggestions welcome

[Jocelyn Walker]

Re: Australian wild parrot

Maybe at least ONE comment would be nice!

[Stephen]

Re: Australian wild parrot

Maybe at least ONE comment would be nice!

OK Joc, well here goes. What you have is a fairly sharp, closeup picture of a colourful bird. Apart from that the picture is rather unremarkable photographically. I would go so far as to say its possibly quite a bit overexposed. Had the feathers been white, I think they would have been blown. I think what you have done is let the flash take over, and it has washed out much of the colour, not to mention creating some shadow behind. To remedy this effect, either turn the flash power down, or turn it off all together. Its always best to use the ambient light and maybe use some fill in flash if possible. Of course in dark conditions you will struggle, but the fact remains that flash does pictures such as this no favours.

[Autumn]

Re: Australian wild parrot

Maybe at least ONE comment would be nice!

Hi Jocelyn

I started to comment this morning, but did not feel I knew sufficiently what to say.

I thought it looked as though you had used flash and that the feathers were overexposed. Then I thought I would have been sticking my neck out if you had not used flash.

Basicly, I have to agree with Stephen, but my comments would only be on what I see, not how to improve the picture (that's for the experts).

You see, I see many, many bird photographs in our photographic society - one man has his published world wide and literally spends hours/days just waiting for a rare bird to photograph. He reckons he once spent 3 weeks waiting in a hide in Africa - I believe him.

So you see I know what I see, but unfortunately, not how to achieve perfection and this is why I and perhaps some others have not commented.

Keep 'em coming though Jo, I love to see these colourful wild birds.

[Jocelyn Walker]

Re: Australian wild parrot

Thank you Audrey & Stephen for taking time to comment! I really appreciate having objective & informative comments or critique, as it is so beneficial in learning where one is going wrong! I think we all strive or really wish to achieve perfection someday, gained mostly by learning from others more skilled or experienced! By learning from what we did wrong, we can experiment further & practice more & more! So thanks again!

[Patrick]

Re: Australian wild parrot

Thank you Audrey & Stephen for taking time to comment! I really appreciate having objective & informative comments or critique, as it is so beneficial in learning where one is going wrong! I think we all strive or really wish to achieve perfection someday, gained mostly by learning from others more skilled or experienced! By learning from what we did wrong, we can experiment further & practice more & more! So thanks again!

Hi Jocelyn

I think you have said it here
"By learning from what we did wrong, we can experiment further & practice more & more!"
Keep experimenting with digital it wont cost you anything.
Learn to be critical of your own work (not easy) compare your images with those more experience. If you were to compare your parrot with similar images from others you would see its shortcomings.
I don't know what equipment you have so what I am about to say may in your case not be possible.
If flash was the only option taking your parrot, I would have held the flash at arms length to one side of the camera, or if there was a white surface bounced the flash from that (my favoured option). A diffuser would have helped a white handkerchief can do that quite effectively just wrapped round the flash head.
I suspect that you used the built in flash on a compact camera and moved in close which is why its overexposed.

Flash can save the day, but is also capable of ruining a picture if not used with care, built in flash has no room for manoeuvre.

Patrick

[mib2]

Re: Australian wild parrot

Hi Jocelyn
Sometimes comment turns ups much later. It's nice to receive comments of course - good and bad.
Dave R

[Mick Johnson]

Re: Australian wild parrot

Nice colourfull birds you have down there Jocelyn. I think this is the same species that has been released here in the London area....I know they are green anyway.

I think everything has been said about the use of flash. One thing I would say though, is, if it's cropped then you could give it a bit more room (somewhere to look into) on the right hand side for better composition. Would of liked to of seen all it's head as well.

[kelsci]

Re: Australian wild parrot

I saw a show here in the states on these birds I believe on a public broadcasting network station. Nice picture,great color. What is interesting is that you caught a great shot of the bird's beak breaking down the food in a still which is usually seen in a motion picture shot that is quickly forgotten.

[Jocelyn Walker]

Re: Australian wild parrot

Thank you kelsci! That is one of the reasons I chose that particular shot as it showed the seed falling & birds beak quite well defined! I appreciate everyone comments. Thanks! Australian parrokeets, especially the rainbow variety, have amazing colours! (In my albums) The crimson rosellas too!