Yellowhammer (distant)

I literally took this photo 5 mins ago but the shot was taken indoors and hand held so not the best. I like the general shot of the bird albeit a little too distant and with the rain pelting down. I wonder if you could advise what I could do to improve it ie crop, sharpen, etc

The best thing is keep looking for them and get closer - outside! but not always easy I know. I've been following Yellowhammers for a little while now, and have plenty of female pics, but the males constantly elude my camera! so well done on that score.

I think cropping it with a good bit of space to the right, so he's looking into it would help, a saturation boost (to help get over the 'through glass-ness') - and a sharpen.

I'll have a go later

xx

ETA - actually, it's pretty hard to do what I wanted to do on the small version above, if you send me the full version I can have a play about

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Think about what makes a pleasing image and try to get that in your photos

For me personally, bird photographs are most pleasing when in their natural habitat... see if you can get down to some wetlands or somewhere where they have bird huts set up

I'm just jealous that you've seen on at all! We don't get them round here very often...they probably blow away!

As Zoundz has said it is too small to lift and work on but if you have editing software I would start with levels and try to get rid of the wishy washy look, pay particular attention to the blacks as increasing them will help with the colour and clarity.

The crop to a suitable size remembering to give the bird some space both above and in front.

Then if you can use a noise removing software and possibly sharpen just a little. Think that will make a difference although no amount of PP can make a bad shot good or a soft shot sharp, not saying this is either but the bird is a long way a way and it would be difficult to have it pin sharp.

Well, I have a go of improving this shot. I have ( I think) cropped leaving room on the right of the bird, sharpened and increased the saturation!

That's very good really! A little bit of what I did to Nicola's puffin ( ) may help here - and perhaps a touch of straightening! I'm in an oddly photoshoppy mood tonight

xx

I'm tired, and this is very sloppily done - in fact, the bird itself almost looks worse because I've managed to blur bits of him as well! but this is a very very very rough idea of what I was trying to say above hope it helps?



I hope you can see what I mean, I shouldn't upload it even, it is appallingly bad!

xx

Yes thanks Zounds. I think I know where you are coming from! I will have another go tomorrow, see what I can do
Cheers x