Something quite different from me this morning.
I rarely post images where the bird is anywhere near this small in the frame. I often enjoy those types of photos from others but generally it isn’t my style.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
But yesterday in the Wasatch Mountains when I saw this pretty little Yellow Warbler singing his heart out on a far-away branch I thought the setting was so attractive I fired off a few shots. To my eye this image has the appearance of a setup but it isn’t. There was no artificially arranged perch, no bait and no electronically recorded calls to draw the warbler in. This is how I found the bird in the wild.
I fussed over the composition of the image for some time, trying different options given what I had to work with. None of them allowed me to arrange the bird and the branch in the frame precisely where I wanted them without adding canvas or cloning out unwanted leaves and branches (all I’ve done during processing is crop, rotate and selectively sharpen). This version is my most preferred compromise within those limitations.
My artistic skills are severely limited but there’s something about this image that speaks to me so I decided to post it. I’d be interested in brutally honest reactions from readers regarding composition, aesthetic strengths and weaknesses or anything else (if you’re inclined to do so but of course it isn’t necessary or even expected).
My ego can take honest critique and I’m eager to learn.
Ron
When I get a look this great through my binoculars, the image stays blazed into my mind for a long time. I still have one such image from 1974 that pops up occasionally. The most recent was a red eyed vireo who perched in the clear above the path for me for several seconds, just looking at me, and then flew to a nearby concealed perch and belted out his song.
It’s nice to know that you really appreciate moments like this one for their natural rarity and spend time composing what was actually there in the wild best to bring out its beauty.
I would totally pay for a notecard or greeting card with this image on it (time for you to open a Zazzle store to help you recoup gas money!). To me, the warbler is just enough off-of-center to appeal to me and I agree with others about liking the strong diagonal of the branch. That pop of the yellow bird makes me grin like an idiot! 😀
Fantastic composition
Thank you, Kent.
To coin a phrae ‘I am not an artist, but know what I like’. And I really like this operatic star.
(And mourn my complete lack of artistic talent).
I’m lacking in that department too, EC. Thanks.
Beautiful photo…I like it as is. The bird is such a lovely color, and blends in well with the branch and background. I love the look on its face. It had a joyful song to sing!
Yes, their song is lovely, Jean. Thanks.
The muted background colors, especially green, enhance the colors in the branch, in my eye. The bright yellow color of the bird stands out with the green background and the color of the branch.
I really like this photo, Ron. It made me smile. Thanks for posting.
I appreciate those greens in the background too, Alice – especially because in most of the places I shoot much of the vegetation has already turned color.
I like the picture. I understand all about shooting the LBB’s and it much different from Raptors. But rewarding all the same.
Thanks, Linda.
Who can’t appreciate the beauty of a songbird perched in a lovely flowering branch? Though raptors are my “thing,” I am a big fan of the smaller winged creatures, and warblers of every sort are very special. I’m fortunate enough to have a backyard fountain that draws the occasional yellows, yellow-rumps, Townsend’s, Wilson’s … but it’s unlikely I’ll ever have my own photo of any of them (mostly for lack of patience, I suppose). So I especially enjoy yours, and this one is very pleasing to the eye. I do love the coloring of all the elements in this image — Mr. Warbler really pops!
Yup, common as they are they require a lot of patience to get close to them and have them out in the open. Thanks, Chris.
My artistic eye agrees with what you’ve done with this image. I like it. It seems well balanced to me. And when you’re photographing a bird the size of a Warbler, it would be difficult to get any closer…
You’re right, Susan. I find most warblers to be very difficult to get close to. Uncooperative little devils… 🙂
If the warbler hadn’t been singing his version of “Alleluia” then all those “artistic” rules would have applied. I love this shot, made me laugh.
Thanks, Marian.
Yes that is a beautiful little bird, and he is singing his heart out. Nice picture Ron.
Thank you, Trudy.
I really like the composition, strong diagonals are a favorite of mine and the rules are meant to be broken for an image that speaks to you. My eye goes directly to the warbler and I like seeing the tip of the branch. My first thought on seeing this was, “Wow, even when Ron is out of his raptor zone, he nails it.” I suppose you can make a second copy that is cropped further, but leave the diagonal.
Yes, there are many versions of this image that have other strengths, Nancy. And I’ve played with a lot of them… Thank you.
Ditto gisele’s comment. Also, catchlight, and line of head/beak being almost parallel with the perch are positive features too.
Thank you, David.
In my brutally honest opinion this is a beautiful image…I like that the main mass is off center, even though the bird is close to center, like the vertical bird on the diagonal perch, like the pop of bright yellow against the muted background, like the color, size and whorls of the sage gray leaves( wllow? Autum Olive?) which, if bigger might overpower the tiny bird, and like the joyous-looking singing pose (though, in reality, the bird may be telling others it’s his territory and he’ll kick their butts if they get too close!)
Given your artistic background I was curious about your reaction, Patty. Thanks for providing it.
As most of us are, we are our own worst critic. I agree with the above folks that you got it just right, again! And it was great to see you include a “small” bird in your blog. More warbler types to come?
“More warbler types to come?”
I hope so, Jim. With the coming of summer I’ll likely be spending more time in the mountains so that’s a distinct possibility.
I like the image a lot Ron. Tells a nice story of Spring with the bird singing and the new growth on the ?willow? Yes, the Warbler is not positioned classically in the frame, but not bad either. I suppose you tried cropping a little from the bottom left. That would move the bird a little more left in the frame but you would have to clone out the one leaf that is currently clipped anyway. I think the image could stand to loose that leaf with or without the crop. But again, the image tells a nice story. I’d consider hanging on my wall.
Frank, Yes, one version I tried would have cropped out most of that bottom leaf. That would have given me a composition closer to a 5 x 7 ratio which I prefer. But looking at both versions I preferred this one because I didn’t like the leaf cut off in the middle and I wanted to avoid cloning. I preferred clipping just the tip of it over cutting it off. Compromises, compromises! Thanks for your feedback.
Nature does not always follow the “rules” and this image brings the beauty of the bird and nature to the fore! Well done, sometimes we tend to overthink what is just plain natural beauty.
Good point, Gisele. Thank you.
I think you did a great job artistically! Just my opinion!
Many time we all tend to over indulge in thinking, especially when the great shot is right in front of us!
Do you know what Willow species it is?
Thanks for your thoughts on this, Dick. No, I don’t know the species of willow. My botany skills aren’t much stronger than my aesthetic skills….
Ron the bird is just where he “should” be–both in your wonderful photo and in his life. Thank you.
Interesting way to put it, Diana. Thank you.
Lovely shot of this little beauty Ron!!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Actually, the bird is NOT centered, either vertically or horizontally ! I think it is perfectly positioned…….when the subject is strongly facing in one direction ( in this case to the right of the frame ),
its mass should be positioned slightly to the opposite side, just as it is……the spray of foliage adds a strong diagonal, giving dynamic thrust . The bird itself looks like joy, incarnate ! To my eye,
the composition is perfect, exactly as it is, and I am a fairly critical old bat ……..
Thanks, Kris. Your last sentence made me LOL!
This old bat agrees with that old bat…on all counts….
If you apply the rule of thirds, the bird is a bit too centered. IF you only use the bird as focal point. The branch serves to give movement for the eye. I like it.
I agree that the bird is too centered, Arwen. I tried to avoid it but I always lost more than I gained. Thanks for your feedback.
Ron, I think this is a beautiful photograph of a yellow warbler! The colors are subtle, the sharpness is right on, and the branch is charming and natural! I think the framing is good. I like the branch at the even diagonal and the bird slightly off center. I could not find fault with this photo. I love looking at it (it makes me happy) and I would be proud to have taken it.
Joanne, one of the things I tried to do was keep the bird from being too centered in the frame and in this version I think it IS just a little too centered. But everything I tried to do to mitigate that took away more than it added. Thank you.
Personally, I think it is perfect the way it is. In this instance, I like how you were able to include the branch to its tip end. It’s a very natural looking image.
I agree, Becky. Including all of the end of that branch is a plus of the image. Thanks.
I REALLY like it, Ron. 🙂 Appears to be a willow of some sorts it’s on from the catkins and the bird fits beautifully singing and looking up towards the end of the branch and above – it all fits. Had you cropped it further it would have lost something IMHO…………
Yes, I believe it’s a willow, Judy. And I agree – further cropping would have more minuses than pluses. I do wish that one leaf wasn’t in front of the bird’s tail but to me that’s minor. Thanks for the feedback.