Kiwi the Macaw

Alright, my first real effort at post processing. I took a trip to a small zoo (Cougar Mountain in Issaquah, WA, for those in the are) and while I enjoy the shots as memories, after some comments in my other thread I agree they could be better. So, here is one of the shots, Kiwi the Macaw, that I really like the style of the photo even though it turned out soft. I did some editing in Photoshop, and while it's never going to be a perfect photo, I'd appreciate some feedback on how to make it look nicer.

The original- f/5.6 shutter 1/25s, ISO 100, 250mm with a Canon 70-300mm non-IS lens on a 400D. Not the greatest lens in the world, but adds some range in addition to the kit lens till I figure out what best fits my style.

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

Maybe it's just time for new contacts, but I think your focus is a bit soft. That being said, I like the colors in the first one the best.

I'd say keep the bird much as it was in the original shot - the feathers just don't look as good in the muted processed versions. The extra detail in the beak's kind of good though - maybe somewhere in between...? But do use the darkened background.... Cheers, Tony

Megket...nice capture....#1 looks nice but very soft focus, #2 looks under exposed
#3 looks very darks. I went ahead and did a little PP in PS
I did a lens blur to the backround to make the bird stand out, the USM on the bird + a border. How this helps.....opps I was about to post the edit But didnt see the IMAGE EDITING OK

The shot has potential, but it fails because of your slow shutter speed. IS wont help you if the bird moves, at 250mm with this lens; you should have much better results. I think 1/25s is way too slow. Try again with a faster shutter speed.

Thanks for the comments. I think the bird is a little too bright in the first shot, but that may be due to the whole picture being overly bright, darkening the background might help that.

Image Editing is OK, I would appreciate any advice or examples you can give. I'll have to find that setting in my profile and turn it on.

Next time I go to the zoo, I'll try raising the ISO and shutter speed if the weather/lighting is similar (since we're approaching winter here in Seattle, it probably will be raining again) and I think if it's sunny out I'll try these settings and some different ones to experiment.

meglet, this is what I came up with on the editing I was talking about......

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

the feathers and colors on the wings look fantastic, but unfortuneatly the soft focus on the head really lets the image down IMO. like the other guys/gals said.. a faster shutter speed