Ky221:
Now you've gone and done it. Camera bodies and lenses will make the $$$ in ones gun safe seem like kindergarten.
Intended as a constructive note. Really like the composition of 2, 3, 4, and 6. Backlighting is tough. It works great on larger subjects like 6, but not so much on 1 or 8.
Given the small size of the first two birds, one might try to avoid obstructing twigs as well as bright backgrounds with gray or white clouds behind. Tough deal, given they like to sit in trees. A blue sky is usually great though. Same applies to the surface of water.
Great job of catching the eye and its highlight on the larger subjects too. The eye, if possible, is really the target.
I'd also suggest posting at a slightly higher resolution. Cookie's images (
Link to a few ) are uploaded at 1920 x 1200 which is the resolution for a preponderance of our computer screens. On this site, however, they get reduced to about 1280 x 800, and one has no control over final resolutions here.
Wildlife are tough though, as one has to take the opportunities Mother Nature offers. That means dealing with shade/shadows, backlighting, all manner of intervening obstructions, and zero control over poses and composition. Hit the shutter and hit it often. It's not at all like a studio fruit bowl or landscape where one can work on composition and lighting for an eternity.
She's got a great eye. Keep at it, as it's a great reason for the two of you to get out. Do post them up too, as it's great to see what others are doing.
