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I'm entering a photo contest put on by my local photography club and one of the categories is birds. I'm reasonably certain I won't win as I've seen some amazing images from other members, however, I still want to put my best foot forward. I'm having trouble choosing from the following images:
1. Portrait of a Bluejay
Attachment 12029
2. Squawking Seagull
Attachment 12030
3. Squawking Seagull Part 2
Attachment 12031
4. The Common Grackle
Attachment 12032
5. Grackle Fluffing Up
Attachment 12033
Hi Iggy ... what rules are you being judged on? Are they CAPA rules? The 10 point system? If this would be our photo club, and I know the people who judge, what they want to see is an image you could put in a book for identification purposes. That's how strict they are. based on that, I'd go for .... #4. And here is why:
#1 is a great shot, but it does not show the whole bird
#2 is also a wonderful shot, but the horizontal line created by the benches on the shore would be a "distraction", hence you would get points deducted.
#3 is a real winner, were it not for the "breath" emanating from the beak.
#4 is great, and has no flaws in it that could compromise the judging.
#5 is very good also, but the eye is partially hidden.
Anyway, these are my :twocents:
Thanks, Matt. I don't think they're being quite that strict. Birds are only one of 12 categories. I appreciate your comments though, they are very helpful. Interesting that you think his breath is a distraction, it's what I liked about the shot ;) I caught him in mid squawk on a day when it was like -3C.
As much as I like the unusual pose of the gull ... I'd go for either #1 or #4.
I like the pose of #1 ... and the strong bokeh as well ... but I think ... I lean toward #4 for it's clarity, sharpness, colour of the bird combined with the soft pastel bokeh, and clear eye.
shot 4 for me, (based on composition and eye sharpness and fewest distractions) then shot 3.
Shot 3 is the most interesting shot imo and could be improved to surpass my shot 4 pick (imo :) ) by making that breath more prominent, cropping or cloning the brighter parts of the image at top and sharpening the eye a bit more (if it can handle it).
Hope that helps - Marko
