Woodpeckers

[turkeyneck]

Originally Posted by snake

I generally dump anything that is not nice and sharp and thats why when it went on the screen. my first thought were "another one for the bin".

I think I will have to change my idea of what makes a good photograph and not just keep those that are nice and crisp.
As has been pointed out, an image can have a lot more going for it other than its sharpness.

If I take a photo and I'm in two minds and it's a photo of a subject I've not taken before or the subject is doing something different, then I always save it.
I save it with the view that I will bin it once I've got one I feel is better and can replace it with the new image. If I'm honest nine times out of ten I'm replacing a saved image because the new one is so much sharper, this though may take ages. For example I've saved a couple of images of Long Tailed Tits, the only two photos I've got, they're not great but once I've got the new shots, whenever that is, I'll gladly be binning these two.

[turkeyneck]

Oops forgot to say, it's definitely a keeper for me but I think it may be a very long time before I'd get a replacement for it, if ever.

[StuMack]

Total keeper !!!!!!

[snake]

Thank you all very much for your replies.
I tend to be very ruthless when it comes to deciding what shots I keep.
I don't have a good editing program and do all of my adjustments with Picasa so for the most part, if it doesn't come out of the camera right it gets binned.
I just keep what I think are the best otherwise I will wind up with thousands of shots, many of the same thing that I would do nothing with.

[bigdave60dog]

You find THIS disappointing? That`s just bragging. I would be bragging if I got a shot like that. Fantastic.
Dave

[bigdave60dog]

Originally Posted by snake

Thank you all very much for your replies.
I tend to be very ruthless when it comes to deciding what shots I keep.
I don't have a good editing program and do all of my adjustments with Picasa so for the most part, if it doesn't come out of the camera right it gets binned.
I just keep what I think are the best otherwise I will wind up with thousands of shots, many of the same thing that I would do nothing with.

I would just love to see what you have in your recycle bin.
Dave

[Cordaline]

Awesome shot! Definitely a keeper.
I'd be proud of a shot like that!

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by snake

Thank you all for your replies.
When I first looked at the image on the back of the camera it looked really good and I thought "Wow, thats going to be a goodie".
When I put it on the screen the male bird looked very dark and the wings were out of focus, these were the reasons for my initial dissapointment.

I generally dump anything that is not nice and sharp and thats why when it went on the screen. my first thought were "another one for the bin".

I think I will have to change my idea of what makes a good photograph and not just keep those that are nice and crisp.
As has been pointed out, an image can have a lot more going for it other than its sharpness.

Stick it in the maybe file for now, it is one I would love to have taken.

Next week, put it in the keep file, It does show something dynamic and not easy to see. When you take one better that shows the same interaction between the two birds, put it back in the maybe file.

The easy availability of storage and the low cost should allow you to be cautious about discarding pictures.

That sounds a little patronising, it's not meant to be, I can't take a pic of my foot and be sure which it is, left or right.