[v_cowell]

I took this picture of a Kingfisher at my local reserve last week and was wondering whether to attempt to clone out either the plant or perch or both.
WDYT?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hockeyboy150/7660754176/

[Roy C]

That is a cracking capture either way - very well done
I would personally take out the perch but some may like to leave it in - attached took less than 30 secs in CS5

[Tarsiger]

For me the perch is OK but getting rid of the greenery would be good; certainly well beyond my editting skills. Then again return, do some pruning, and re-shoot!!

Russ

[v_cowell]

Originally Posted by Tarsiger

For me the perch is OK but getting rid of the greenery would be good; certainly well beyond my editting skills. Then again return, do some pruning, and re-shoot!!

Russ

The thought has occurred to some of us but apparently the plant is protected cos it's rare.
Water Parsnip I think is what they said it was.

Roy thanks for your edit, I'm gonna give it a go myself on the plant.

[v_cowell]

Right here we go. I have spent a while cloning out the branch and the plant, for what I believe is an improved photo. (note to self- must try and use photoshop more)

[Jaff]

Ooh much nicer! Well done.

However one thing I'd change which I sometimes do myself is to just add a little glint into the eye when it is otherwise missing. I don't know if this is crossing any kind of line but if it enhances the picture you could argue it should be ok.

[stevo]

Originally Posted by Tarsiger

For me the perch is OK but getting rid of the greenery would be good; certainly well beyond my editting skills. Then again return, do some pruning, and re-shoot!!

Russ

Have to agree with this,& possibly flip the shot so the bird is flying from left to right.Cracking shot though.

Steve.

[v_cowell]

Originally Posted by Jaff

Ooh much nicer! Well done.

However one thing I'd change which I sometimes do myself is to just add a little glint into the eye when it is otherwise missing. I don't know if this is crossing any kind of line but if it enhances the picture you could argue it should be ok.

Cheers Jaff, I had already popped that glint a bit from my original shot. Your pop though does improve it a bit more though.

[Jaff]

I brought up the whole left to right/right to left question last year if anyone wants to look through it http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=200718

[seaspirit]

I agree that the plant is a bit of a distraction, and removing it made for a better image.

But I disagree with the perch.
For one it is not interfering and competing with the bird like the plant did, and more important without it (espl. knowing it was there) the birds posture doesn't look right.
This is not a bird in the typical darting kingfisher flight.
This bird just took off, the feet are still in a post take off position, the whole body posture is still the one of a bird working on gaining lift and speed.

Leaving the perch in the frame the picture will tell exactly this story and make it a stronger image in my perception. In addition the perch adds balance and a leading line to the composition.


My $0.02

Ulli

[v_cowell]

So after much discussion, deliberation and editting, I think I have settled on this edit with the perch in and the weed out.
Flying Right to left.

[GraemeS]

I definitely think that is the best version. Lovely shot, and interesting with the post pulling your eyes back to the bird and off on its flight.

[Roger P]

Originally Posted by v_cowell

The thought has occurred to some of us but apparently the plant is protected cos it's rare.
Water Parsnip I think is what they said it was.

Roy thanks for your edit, I'm gonna give it a go myself on the plant.

Firstly, this is a cracking image in its final edition!

However, whatever the rights and wrongs of photo processing they pale into insignificance compared to the thought that any gardening might be done at that particular hide. There was a major disagreement between birders and photographers over that issue some time ago and it has taken some time for peace to break out! At a reserve busy with birds and birders we should try above all else to avoid disturbance to the birds.

[DanC.Licks]

Yup. That is best by far. Very nice shot.

[speckled wood]

I would have favoured the original option suggested by Jaff of the glint in the eye, to remove the post and the plant somehow "detaches" the kingfisher and takes it out of context of it having just launched itself from the perch, the original shot of the bird is stunning and I don't think that either the perch or the plant detracts from the bird itself, if anything it makes the kingfisher look even more stunning.

[pe'rigin]

Super image.

I don’t think that it needs any adjustment, but if we were discussing image manipulation, then I would make two comments.

1. The glint is too big, it should be just a highlight pinprick, surrounded by a light blur, and it looks at present as if the source of the light is behind the birds’ upper right. Where in fact the light is mid to lower.
An eye is convexed so the light must hit its most prominate point not the lowest.

I would blur the background more and apply a darkening mask to the top of the image and left hand, this would draw the eye towards the Kingfisher, there’s too much distraction with the pondweed. I would also darken the branch, so that the highlight point is the white in the birds white nape.

[south banker]

Fantastic shot whatever you decide on..may I ask what reserve it was..understand if you don't want to say!

[v_cowell]

Originally Posted by south banker

Fantastic shot whatever you decide on..may I ask what reserve it was..understand if you don't want to say!

Check out my July collection in my Zenfolio site. The info including exif data is included there.
http://hockeyboy150.zenfolio.com/

[jalethbridge]

I prefer the shot with perch and without greenery. I'd also do away with the big green blob top right. If we're being picky, the head appears angled very slightly away, and there ain't nothing you can do about that!

[stevefloyd]

Awesome shot what lens did you use on that one?

[wabbs125]

Stunning photo! Kingfishers are one of the prettiest British birds, in my opinion. While i see the argument for photo shopping out the perch/plant, i kind of think it adds a bit of authenticity to the picture. Also for anyone who knows photo shop, once you see where it has been done, its hard to look past it which is a little distracting. Nice touch with the glint in the eye though!

[Gashead]

Originally Posted by Jaff

Ooh much nicer! Well done.

However one thing I'd change which I sometimes do myself is to just add a little glint into the eye when it is otherwise missing. I don't know if this is crossing any kind of line but if it enhances the picture you could argue it should be ok.

I thought I was the only one who did that. Good to know I'm not alone.

[Gashead]

Originally Posted by jalethbridge

I prefer the shot with perch and without greenery. I'd also do away with the big green blob top right. If we're being picky, the head appears angled very slightly away, and there ain't nothing you can do about that!

I agree. The perch gives a point of reference and gives the bird a sense of movement.

[v_cowell]

Originally Posted by stevefloyd

Awesome shot what lens did you use on that one?

Cheers Steve, I used a Canon 400 f/5.6 L USM for this shot.

[markblake]

Fantastic shot, well done...