This morning I’m sharing two photos of the same Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay perched in the West Desert on the same juniper with two different backgrounds. The different backgrounds were created by moving slightly forward after the first images were taken.
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay with sky in the background – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 800, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This first photo shows the Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay perched on the juniper with plain blue sky in the background. The light gray breast of the scrub-jay stands out well from the blue sky. The dark blue head of the jay also contrasts nicely with the lighter sky.
I like this image but it doesn’t have the same visual appeal for me as the next image in this series. Had there been a few fluffy, white, out of focus clouds in the background it might have had more appeal for me. That is just my own personal tastes.
Note: I know that it is relatively easy to replace the sky in the background with modern photo editing programs. I don’t do that kind of editing.
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay with mountains in the background – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 800, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I prefer the distant out of focus mountains in the background of this second image. The blue feathers in the plumage of this scrub-jay stands out from the warm tones of the background. The light gray breast and belly seem brighter than in the first photo. Again, this is simply a matter of my personal tastes.
Moving a few feet to the east made quite a difference in background of these photos. Plus it changed the visual appeal for me and possibly for other people. This is something I try to always keep in mind when I am in the field.
These scrub-jay images were taken one year ago on a bright January morning. I’m hoping to see sunlight like it this morning as I head out into the field.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay photos plus facts and information about this species.
Very interesting. Amazing how just “…moving a few feet to the east” changed the shot. An excellent example of why photography is such a complex art form and why you are so damn good at it. Thanks Mia.
Those few steps made all the difference to the images.
Interesting to learn of another Scrub-Jay species! https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Woodhouses_Scrub-Jay/overview
Certainly agree with you about the quality of the second shot and background. Even though you were able to get a better and closer shot, it was a good idea to take the first one as you could not predict the bird’s next move. “Bird in the hand…”
What a beautiful bird. Yes, backgrounds make the difference.