Opinion please.

[JayinMN]

Do you like the high contrast and bright highlights of the back ground in this image or no?

If I tone them down the bird is standing in tire tracks. I tend to like it but am wondering what others think.

[Steve Foss]

It looks like a Robert Bateman composition. That's good, BTW.

[mixxedbagg]

I'd like to see a print. It's almost too bright on a computer screen. I had to squint a little. I'm sure a print would be fine.

[PartyWhine]

Its a very nice shot ... buy perhaps alittle too bright ?

Post a toned down version ?

[mainbutter]

Franky I like it a LOT as is! I don't think I'd like a toned down version as much, but putting one up for comparison would be nice.

[JayinMN]

Thanks guys. I think my monitor is a little darker then most so I am sure it may be brighter to some then I am seeing. The first shot is near to the original file. Here is the snow with the highlights darkened.

[Spearing Machine]

For me the first photo is just too many white highlights popping out and its hard to look at. But then like you mentioned the second really takes away part of the credit due to the grouse with the tire tracks but to me the grouses color seem to pop a bit more in the second. If I had to pick one though I would have to go with the second. Just my opinion though.

[ShawnZ]

Jason,

I'm a fan of "high key" images. The first shot you posted definately fits the bill. The treatment really makes the image all about the grouse and it's gorgeous plumage. If you would have gone belly flat, the tracks would have been a non issue....

Regardless, very nice!

[Cicada]

I like both versions, although I think the second one gives you a little more depth of field.

[mixxedbagg]

I did notice that with the top photo, my eyes are drawn to the body of the bird and away from the bright white. With the second version, my eyes are drawn to the head of the bird.

[finnbay]

Jason,

Beautiful bird. I like the second version, and if the tire tracks bother you, maybe a little cloning in Photoshop would make them irregular enough to get rid of them.

[MN Shutterbug]

Maybe somewhere in between? It sure pops better in the first one, but the second one looks more natural. The first one almost looks like a high key studio shot, although the shadow under the bird really helps.

[eyeguy 54]

2nd for me, easy on the eyes.

[Jim Almquist]

I love the high key of the first shot !

[Steve Foss]

The first image will make the better print, IMO. Backlit computer screens always intensify the whites.

[JayinMN]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the feed back.

I think I still like the high key version.

I am a horrible Photo-shopper so cloning out tire tracks would be a mess if I tried.

This hen happens to be part of a group of 6 very flighty spruce grouse. I have tried to take pictures of them before with no luck. These 6 aren;t your typical "fool" hens.

I would have belly crawled for you Shawn but I couldn't keep up with them as they kept running and flying down the road. I think next year the festival should have a belly crawl race through the snow. I would go just to watch that!

[DTro]

I vote for the first one. The colors of the bird really pop!

[ShawnZ]

Jason,

I will suggest the belly crawl competition if and only if you agree to lead a workshop centered around attracting wild lynx by singing meow mix songs.

[Jim Almquist]

Jason,

I will suggest the belly crawl competition if and only if you agree to lead a workshop centered around attracting wild lynx by singing meow mix songs.

I would pay to see that !

[mainbutter]

The first image will make the better print, IMO. Backlit computer screens always intensify the whites.

I had this same thought as I was reading but Foss beat me to it!

Backlit computer screens are just that, lit from the back via light. Bright white on a print is only as bright as the ambient lighting in the room reflecting off it.

[Borealhunter]

I am in the first photo camp as well and Steve Foss nailed it by saying it looks like a Bateman painting.. I like the first photo.