Western Flicker Photo Coaching Example. Photo Lenny “Lensworth” Frieling

Boulder Western Flicker coaching analysis: This is not a happy flicker. Nor is their suet in the feeder. I think it is saying “why are you not feeding me NOW??” 

Here’s why this picture works for me.  It benefits from the “rule of thirds, center lines, and diagonals.” I prefer to call these “guidelines” and not “rules.” I love the way the attitude of the Western Flicker woodpecker reaches out and involves the viewer. This is the result of the expression,  the body language, and the composition of the photograph. Technically it is fair to good,  and the second picture is much better technically. The emotion involves the viewer even with the unretouched flat lighting of the original. 

The eyes and beak near a vertical center line make the stare more intense. The upper left to lower diagonal further enhance the picture.

If we lay a “rule of thirds” grid over it, the position of the eyes makes more sense as adding to the photo. This is also enhanced with contrast, saturation, and the like, all available in the basic “PHOTO” program that comes with Microsoft 365. If you have WORD, you have this. So the flat lighting in the original was fixable with the most basic of the photo tools. The picture was cropped to enhance the composition and therefore the emotional impact. OK! I’ll feed the bird! 

I am avoiding using expensive (and crazy powerful) tools like Lightroom and Photoshop since most of us don’t pay for  these wonderful tools. The feature I miss the most is the “cloning tool.” That’s for another day. 

Shared Knowledge Is Power!

Lenny “Lensworth” Frieling

(720) 320-6201    Lensworth.photo

Lenny Frieling Pen Of Justice

• Multi-published and widely syndicated blogger and author.
• Most recently published by Amazon, his first book, "Lensworth"a book of his prize-winning photos.
• University lectures at University of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels. Numerous lectures for the NORML Legal Committee
• Former Judge
• Media work, including starring in episodes of Fox’s Power of Attorney, well in excess of many hundreds media interviews, appearances, articles, and podcasts, including co-hosting Time For Hemp for two years.
• Life Member, NORML Legal Committee, Distinguished Counsel Circle.
• Photographer of the Year, AboutBoulder 2023
• First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
• Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
• Twice chair Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association Criminal Law Section
• Life Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
• Board Member Emeritus, Colorado NORML, and prior chair during legalization, as well as pre and post legalization
• Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
• Senior Counsel Emeritus to the Boulder Law firm Dolan + Zimmerman LLP : (720)-610-0951
• Board member, Author, and Editor for Criminal Law Articles for the Colorado Lawyer, primary publication of the Colorado Bar Assoc. 7 Years, in addition to having 2 Colorado Lawyer cover photos, and numerous articles for the Colorado Lawyer monthly publication.
• http://www.Lfrieling.com