Woodpeckers

[snake]

I took this shot this afternoon at the bottom of my garden.
When I checked it on the back of the camera it looked really good.
Put it on the screen and was disappointed.
Not sure if its a keeper but then again I dont often see the pair together.
If I stand back from the monitor it doesn't look too bad and its growing on me.

Your thoughts?

[glsammy]

If that's not a keeper, then I don't know what is! Action, detail, drama, what more do you want.

[tcvarlh]

Every time I point a camera at any woodpecker they shuffle off around the other side of the tree, so I don't see the problem. Keep the shot! Looks great to me!
h

[big bill]

Nothing wrong with that shot ,wish I could get a shot of woodpeckers like that keep it !!!! you`ll kick yourself later if you bin it

[Tobyh]

Hey snake,

I agree with the others - which bit of it did you find disappointing? I assume as you've posted a smaller image you were hoping for a much larger one?

It's unusual to get 2 GSW's together and this has some great action. Certainly a keeper for me, you may not get an A3 print out of it (i'm guessing) but it's an interesting shot, too interesting to consign to the recycle bin.

TobyH

[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.

[Red Robin]

.
Wow! That's a great shot!

It's not always about what's spot-on technically but more about the magic moment you've captured and this you have most certainly done. Obviously if the photo is so rubbish technically you would probably trash it but this one doesn't even deserve consideration for the trash bin.

If you think it can be improved then fine-tune it in Photoshop.

I'm a retired professional Art Director and have much experience of working with and employing specialist professional photographers and selecting images from commercial libraries. This photo rocks!

[DanJeffery]

Surely the blurring of the wings is motion blur rather than due to them being out of focus? I think it adds to the dynamism of the picture.

[Red Robin]

Originally Posted by DanJeffery

Surely the blurring of the wings is motion blur rather than due to them being out of focus? I think it adds to the dynamism of the picture.

....Very much so - It adds movement

Much as I respect the Environment Agency I was very disappointed this week when they cut down and chipped a dead tree near my property which was a regular insect/grub hunting haunt for a local and very fine pecker. Why!?

[pressld2]

Definitely a keeper for me, Phil!

I agree that the blurring of the wing-tips looks like motion blur rather than out of focus. The heads of both birds look lovely and sharp.

Dave P.