Inspiration from Artie, has caused me to try and become more creative with birds.
I like the way this reminds of the Indian war bonnet's-- [these Rose- breasted Grosbeak's] are one of the most colorful birds to visit our area and they don't stay long so one has to work fast . My question is did I use levels to much around the BIF and cause to much highlights around the edges.
Thanks for viewing and C&C Randall

Hey Randall,

What a cool photo!!! I don't know if the question is whether or not you used levels too much, I think the question is could you have masked it better? To answer your question (LOL, my question), I think that you could have masked the levels a bit more effectively. Also, if you take the history brush in photoshop, you can delete the effects of the lost highlights in the feathers....just use the slider to the opacity that makes you feel comfortable and the image natural.

Nice catch.

Cheers
James

Thanks James
Thats exactly what was needed . I guess to learn from this don't try processing to many images at one setting, for me at least I seem to get tired and then lax , not good .
Thanks James I'll fix it.

Hey Randall, there is a LOT to like about this shot....Good exposure, prety darned good composition for this kind of work (where you have split seconds to make decisions)

If I have any knits to pick....#1 would be focus.... (I was shooting chipmunks at the campsite this weekend and them lil suckers are FAST!) so I understand. The other would be if you had a zoom lens, maybe pulling back just a hair to include the entire bird.

All in all a GREAT shot....

Roman

Yes I wish I hadn't clipped his wings ,but i was shooting from a tripod and wireless remote lol
Thanks Roman
randall