Hey Steve nice set. but I kinda feel there is more to be had here.
With you being so fortunate to have reds,in your garden I'd personally be trying to work with them a bit more..............., make a set up if you like.. Two main goals really bro first trying to make the best of your available light and second putting them in a spot where you can really make the most of this wonderful autumnal colour in the bkg coupled with really pretty perches.
The first image to me is lovely suig has a really nice separation form bkg, I like me neg space but also want a tad more of the squirrels but in the frame, maybe a bit of careful pruning might also help? the two lower twigs are a bit of a niggle. The other three show the subject well buddy but don't really float my boat.
Steve I do tend to want to be at eye level and I also adore that mush sharp much effect one gets in certain locations. with the right DOF.......essentially shooting across the top of or through veggies. at the same time I don't want my images to be based on one simple formula. Mate to me you are really getting there ..................but you haven't really grasped the potential of what's in front of you ha as of yet.
Mate I hope this doesn't sound too harsh it's not meant that way,it's just as we spend time doing this you gradually start to see / realize the potential in a situation and how to work that into a frame
Mate I'm also not great with PP,so take all this with a pinch of salt but some thoughts huh
Is there a magenta cast to these. I think there is? Mate WB is sometimes a nightmare to me,I have a niggle here,but I'm open enough to doubt myself and want you aware of my own struggles. simply I might be wrong!!
I've no idea on camera used or subject to camera distance,is F8 nesessary? To me i'd trial topaz denoise AI. If I can use it ,everyone else can it's feels like a game changer to me.
If you are using an older sensor and pushing ISO you have to nail ETTR. This takes some doing Steve you are also working with a decreasing dynamic range at higher ISO ,but that hot washed out EXP will be your best start point, . Use the blinkies as well as histogramme you can't blow the hilights but that exp needs to be over to the right as far as possible. These modern NR programmes are amazing mate ,but that base law of physics boost EXP boost noise hasn't gone away.
Keep pushing mate, I hope there is something in the above that helps a little. another ramble sorry bro
What I'm trying to do is get you to think more before shutter press,it isn't really about making a physical set up as such .........................
I'll tell you I've set a hare up in a field..................... I won't have moved anything or put food down or cut any veggies. what I mean is I'm thinking about where my subject will be where the light will be what effect the bkg is going to have and then moved me to hopefully the exact right spot.,to make the best of a given situation . Mate I make images just like the above ,chances come and go in splits of a second I make all the mistakes in the world. sometimes stepping back and really thinking how can I work with "this" isn't an option. When it is and I put me head on the images almost always benefit. Look I still get in the way nowt is given it's just worth exploring
Haha
all the luck you lucky sod !!
take care
stu .