Donald Miller
October 2026 - "Bluebird at sunset"
Original
About the Image(s)
Taken in the Suffield Wildlife Management Area - a protect grassland that boarders the south of Mass in Southwick and north of Conn. in Suffield.
There were many bluebirds there as well as insects for them to go after. This one was using the post as a launching area for hunting - so I could park myself and watch for good shots.
I was using the late day sun, about an hour before sunset, to silhouette the bird while getting the light through its wings. I was lucky it flew above the tree line into the clear spot!
I used an OM system OM-1 with OM 100-400mm, f5 - 6.3II at 400mm. Other settings were: 1/2000 for stopping the wing motion, f6.3 at ISO 800.
I've included the "before" shot showing how much I cropped.
7 comments posted
Donald,
The backlit wing is the image's strongest feature- with the light shining through the individual feathers you've created a striking silhouette. The subject's beautifully illuminated wing really stands out; the bird's placement is excellent and the blurred background works. There is a quiet, airy quality here that makes it more than a routine bird portrait.
To really get the full impact of the subject you might consider cropping substantially from the bottom and moderately from the top; vertical lines are eye-grabbers and the long post grabs the eye, as does the bright upper sky that occupies more space than necessary to tell your story.
See my Visual Feedback where I tried to bring more attention to your subject by eliminating that which I didn't think necessary to tell your story.
Posted: 10/06/2026 13:24:43
The backlit wing is the image's strongest feature- with the light shining through the individual feathers you've created a striking silhouette. The subject's beautifully illuminated wing really stands out; the bird's placement is excellent and the blurred background works. There is a quiet, airy quality here that makes it more than a routine bird portrait.
To really get the full impact of the subject you might consider cropping substantially from the bottom and moderately from the top; vertical lines are eye-grabbers and the long post grabs the eye, as does the bright upper sky that occupies more space than necessary to tell your story.
See my Visual Feedback where I tried to bring more attention to your subject by eliminating that which I didn't think necessary to tell your story.
Posted: 10/06/2026 13:24:43
Hi David,
After reading your description, I appreciate your photo much more because I understand what you were trying to accomplish. I like your plan, and observations regarding the blue bird--you positioned yourself in front of the post having figured out the birds perch there and used the late afternoon light to achieve a backlit image. You accomplished your goal, with a beautiful backlit raised wing on a silhouetted blue bird! My biggest concern is the post which dominates the image, and distracts from the bird which is small in the frame. I wouldn't take the post out because it tells the story but I do think Butch's tighter crop above helps fix this issue allowing the viewer to focus more on the beautiful translucent wing. Nicely done! Posted: 10/06/2026 16:36:01
After reading your description, I appreciate your photo much more because I understand what you were trying to accomplish. I like your plan, and observations regarding the blue bird--you positioned yourself in front of the post having figured out the birds perch there and used the late afternoon light to achieve a backlit image. You accomplished your goal, with a beautiful backlit raised wing on a silhouetted blue bird! My biggest concern is the post which dominates the image, and distracts from the bird which is small in the frame. I wouldn't take the post out because it tells the story but I do think Butch's tighter crop above helps fix this issue allowing the viewer to focus more on the beautiful translucent wing. Nicely done! Posted: 10/06/2026 16:36:01
This is a reply to Butch as well as Ann.
I can see your point that there is a LOT of post in the image. I liked the upward flow of the long movement up to the bird.
I've tried a bit of cropping to see how less post would look. It does look a bit more focused. Posted: 10/06/2026 16:49:13
I can see your point that there is a LOT of post in the image. I liked the upward flow of the long movement up to the bird.
I've tried a bit of cropping to see how less post would look. It does look a bit more focused. Posted: 10/06/2026 16:49:13
This is a tough one to comment about. Like others have said the post is part of the story and thus likely needs to be there. On the other hand when I first look at the image my eye is drawn to the bright sky and thus to the dark little bird who stands out against the bright sky. So which way is the right way to go? Beats me. I do like Butch's tighter crop because I feel the subject should be dominate in the image. However I like the back light coming through the wings. Since I do not see a clear way for me to evalute and display your intent I going to suggest that the maer deside what he wants the viewer to see and then figure out a way ti make the viewer see the maker's vision. Posted: 10/13/2026 17:16:09
Hi Donald,
Like the description of this blue bird's interaction and explanation behind the photo.
You have managed to get the speed correct to secure a frozen wing and wingspan.
How far you were from the bird, these birds are quite tiny? I cant help to wish that I can see more detail of the bird, so definitely would have like a much tighter crop. Posted: 10/14/2026 13:03:24
Like the description of this blue bird's interaction and explanation behind the photo.
You have managed to get the speed correct to secure a frozen wing and wingspan.
How far you were from the bird, these birds are quite tiny? I cant help to wish that I can see more detail of the bird, so definitely would have like a much tighter crop. Posted: 10/14/2026 13:03:24
Donald,
You've already gotten some grea comments by others. Sorry I'm a little late to the party! Love the translucent quality of the biord's wing! That's thme highlight of the shot for me. While the post is part of the story, I agree with Butch that it need not take up so much real estate. Also the post is so dark it is hard to pick out. I might brighten the post more and crop up from the bottom. Nicely seen and great patience to capture this moment! Posted: 10/16/2026 21:30:16
You've already gotten some grea comments by others. Sorry I'm a little late to the party! Love the translucent quality of the biord's wing! That's thme highlight of the shot for me. While the post is part of the story, I agree with Butch that it need not take up so much real estate. Also the post is so dark it is hard to pick out. I might brighten the post more and crop up from the bottom. Nicely seen and great patience to capture this moment! Posted: 10/16/2026 21:30:16
Backlight can do such interesting things to subjects. The light coming through the wings really highlights them. Having the bird against the bright sky was a "must" for this to work.
I like Butch's crop- and particularly I like the horizontal presentation. The flow of the trees in the background is appealing and is much more noticeable as a horizontal. Posted: 10/21/2026 19:34:05
I like Butch's crop- and particularly I like the horizontal presentation. The flow of the trees in the background is appealing and is much more noticeable as a horizontal. Posted: 10/21/2026 19:34:05