Thank you for the opportunity to comment on these wonderfully varied and imaginative pictures of preening birds. Birds that are preening are sources of possibility for the photographer, and their contortions present opportunities for seeing them in unusual and engaging poses. Feathers are often exposed in interesting and unorthodox ways that can range from the stunning to the comic in their impact on the viewer. The images presented for this competition demonstrate this in a variety of ways.

Having said this, the basic elements of bird photography still apply to preening shots. Eyes often disappear behind feathers when birds are preening, but aesthetically it is better for the image if they can still be seen. Light is still a really significant element in any photograph, creating atmosphere and separating the spectacular from the mundane, and images still need to be as sharp as possible and free of distracting elements.

Winner: Galah - William Woodhouse  (Image ID 26178)

They say that in photography “light is everything”, and there is great support for that maxim in this delightful image. The warm light washing over the bird shows the detail of the feathers and enhances their natural coloration. The vertical framing of the shot works well, and while taking pictures from the rear is not usually the ideal thing, in this case it works effectively with the bird’s head twisted over its shoulder to face the camera. The eye is clearly visible, anchoring the composition, and there is very good detail visible in the shadows. Finally, there is no distraction in the background, and the blurred browns and greys complement the colour of the fence post as well as the lovely greys and pinks of the plumage. All of these elements combined make this a strong and pleasing image, and a worthy winner.

Galah

Highly Commended: Silver Gull - Douglas Coughran  (Image ID 25757)

It was a close-run thing to judge between this image and the winning one, and this picture clearly has a lot to commend it. First of all there is the eye – pretty much in the centre of the image, sharp as a pin and sporting a nice highlight. It is really easy to “blow out” the whites in light coloured feathers, but that has been avoided here, and the warm, gentle light brings out all of the details of the plumage. The soft and varied greys in the feathers being “worked on” with such determination, and those on the neck and body, are particularly pleasing on the eye. The vacant blue of the background places the bird in context, adds to the atmosphere and complements all of the other elements. Congratulations on a really nice capture.

Silver Gull

Commended: Blue-faced Honeyeater - Anne Burgess  (Image ID 26126)

This shot appealed to me the moment that I laid eyes on it, and there is much to commend it aesthetically. The yellow eye in the blue face, being revealed by the dramatic fan of the wing, are the elements which make this image stand out. However, while I think the eye is pin sharp, I’m not sure that there is much of the rest of the bird that is sharply in focus. Compositionally the strong shapes of the leaves intruding from the right and covering parts of the bird – in particular the tail – are something of a problem, and the loss of the tip of the upraised wing is also not ideal. Having said that, I am wondering if an even tighter crop would have been an advantage. The focal point is the eye, and the interest and drama are all in the wing and the head. It is possible that the image would have been stronger if all the other elements had been excluded. In spite of its shortcomings this remains a really engaging image, and if taking sharp pictures of fast moving creatures dodging amongst foliage was easy – where would be the fun in that?

Blue-faced Honeyeater

Commended: Pacific Black Duck - William Woodhouse  (Image ID 25849)

Once again with this shot we have a nice sharp eye with a splendid highlight anchoring the composition right at the centre of the picture. The arching of the neck and tail in order to get to “that difficult spot” have been nicely captured and the resulting ripples accentuate this movement as well as supplying pleasing circles of light surrounding the subject. There are no annoying highlights in the background, and the browns of the water mirror and complement the colours of the plumage. It would have been a plus if the breast feathers had been in focus however, and had they been so this would have vied for consideration with the winning entry.

Pacific Black Duck

Commended: Galah - Robin Spry (Image ID 25729)

This picture breaks at least one of the “rules” that govern effective bird photography – there is not an eye in sight to provide a focal point, but instead we have two birds posed in mirror image of each other, and the effect produced is sufficient to engage our interest. The business and earnestness of the birds is part of the attraction – there is some really serious preening going on here, and the colours and textures of the fluffed up feathers have an appeal of their own. The picture is enhanced by the softness of the light, which permits lots of plumage detail and avoids any harsh shadows. It is possible that the image would have been strengthened by a closer crop and a darkening of the background in post production – all of the interest is in the birds themselves and any other elements are complications and distractions that unnecessarily detract from the composition. Nevertheless, this is a moment nicely captured and well worthy of commendation.

Galah

Commended: Australian Wood Duck - Graham Hill (Image ID 25763)

This picture is a pleasing image in many ways, and it ticks a number of boxes. The eye peeking out from behind the wing provides the centre of attention, the plumage is nicely illuminated, and the calm water provides a reflection and a nice uncluttered background. Having said this, the reflection of the bird is rather confusingly combined with the log on which the bird is sitting, and to my mind it detracts rather than contributes to the success of the image. The light is quite harsh, and this means that the contrast between those areas that are illuminated and those that are in shadow is pretty severe, and not much detail can be seen on the left side of the bird. If the image was originally shot in RAW then it should be possible to retrieve some of the shadow detail in post production, and judicious use of a vignette effect could help with rather flat harsh light. A good attempt nonetheless, and worthy of commendation.

Australian Wood Duck