A Neighbor

[Woodley Willie]

Honestly, I don't think this is a particularly good image, I just don't know why...a critical eye will be appreciated.  Thanks

[Andrea B.]

I think the main thing is the image suffers compositionally from too much tree bark area around the squirrel's face. Crop in perhaps?

Technically, I suppose you could tone down the highlights in the upper left corner.
And perhaps raise the shadows just a bit around the squirrel's face.
Add a touch of enhanced detail on its face maybe?

I think it is kinda cute. "-) And it serves as documentary about squirrel behaviour.

I have taken the liberty of offering a cropped view and also a view with a little burning/dodging (which should be done on the raw for better results). Feel free to disregard. "-)

[Woodley Willie]

Thanks Andrea, I like the first of your two images a lot.

[Øivind Tøien]

I actually think Andrea's crop looses an important point of the original one: A tiny squirrel in a small hole in really big tree, which makes it look cute.
Cropping it, it is more of an ordinary squirrel portrait. So I prefer it with the original framing, but probably with Andrea's first tone adjustment.

[Akira]

I would second Øivind.

Andrea's first edit looks nice, but, to me, the joy of finding some cutie is better represented in the original frame.

Well captured in the first place!

[Woodley Willie]

I truly appreciate the feedback.

Bill C

[Andrea B.]

Well, if viewing the photo on a monitor, then the small face surrounded by a lot of bark probably works. But I was thinking if the photo was printed and viewed hanging on a wall, then the small face is just lost because we typically don't view wall prints as closely as we sit in front of monitors?
Maybe....

[Erik Lund]

I like the first one it just needs some contrast and sharpening to make it stand out more IMHO Nice catch

[elsa hoffmann]

One really cant "see" the image in the tread - great to open it up in Photoshop though.

I played with it a bit - and for me the issues are:

1.Image not sharp on the squirrel
2.Squirrel should be lighter

Remember the eye follows to where the image is bright - by making the squirrel lighter - and perhaps the bark either darker or less saturated (my preference), the focus is on the squirrel and the eye is drawn there. I actually like the image and think it should look great printed big - my version not yours 

Note - if you dont like it - you are welcome to say and I will delete it. It is my subjective view only and I don't expect others to agree.

Like Andrea - my first thing would have been to crop - but it really does work uncropped.I think I crop too much anyway

[Woodley Willie]

1.Image not sharp on the squirrel
2.Squirrel should be lighter
Remember the eye follows to where the image is bright - by making the squirrel lighter - and perhaps the bark either darker or less saturated (my preference), the focus is on the squirrel and the eye is drawn there.

elsa
You have said the magic word that I have been concerned with regarding this, and many other of my efforts:  'unsharp.'  So I am actually relieved that this has been pointed out.  I have shared the original image with a couple of 'locals' and they were charmed but I knew I did not quite get there.  This thread has been very helpful!

[elsa hoffmann]

   go back and shoot it again