Please help I've lost all objectifity

[Athas_orm]

Basically I don't know if I've over done the first image. Is it too bright? Does it have any impact? Anything I can do to improve in PP?

[Athas_orm]

That bad huh? Any pointers at all would be received gratefully.
Bad composition what were you thinking. Clichéd subject. Burnt out. lacking detail. Something?

Yes I was looking for processing help but any pointers would be recieved gratefully. Do you need the exif?

Camera Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 1000D
Image Date: 2010:02:06 10:40:19
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 125.0mm
CCD Width: 4.23mm
Exposure Time: 0.0005 s (1/2000)
Aperture: f/5.0
ISO equiv: 200
White Balance: Manual
Exposure: shutter priority (semi-auto)

[wulf]

The composition isn't too bad. Given the reach of the shadows and the bird walking round the back of the conflict to add interest elsewhere across the frame, it works as a centered composition. Your processing has made most of the photo richer and sharper but I think you have overdone it a little on the two combatants, who now appear too dark.

Blend some of that back in from the original shot and perhaps selectively sharpen some more and I think you could get a #3 picture that would stand out above either of these.

Wulf

[Athas_orm]

Okay thanks Wulf. I'll give it another shot based on your recommendations.

[looking4OPH]

The out of focus green/brown thing (leaf and branch?) distract my eyes.

[LoveDSLR]

My two cents.

Here's a sample crop using Golden Spiral.

[cleamon]

Yeah, I think if you're going to 'clone' out that background shadow, might as well get rid of that out of focus weed. I like LoveDSLR's suggestion for cropping as well.

[Athas_orm]

Okay I haven't forgotten this. I just haven't got arround to fixing it yet. I think thats a great cropping suggestion. I always have difficulty figuring out what to place at the thirds when doing rule of thirds.

Thanks everyone I really do appreciate your time helping me with this.

Regards,

Wesley Acheson