There is no need for me to do that because at the beginning of each thread Roel includes in his op -
"PLEASE NOTE CLEARLY:
It is understood that unless the original poster specifically states that they do not want an altered image posted that you are free to alter the posted image and repost it in a reply for C&C purposes (no use for other purposes!). That reposted image may remain permanently or you may remove it after a short period of time if you prefer. No copyright disputes here!"
I am going to assume at the beginning of each thread that unless otherwise stated by anyone, they are happy at the start of the thread for their posted images to be edited and reposted as part of C&C or help with aspects of image editing.
I normally do as well except in threads like this one which are created for people who by default are happy to have edited versions of their images posted as part of C&C or help in aspects of image editing.
In the op it clearly states -
"PLEASE NOTE CLEARLY:
It is understood that unless the original poster specifically states that they do not want an altered image posted that you are free to alter the posted image and repost it in a reply for C&C purposes (no use for other purposes!). That reposted image may remain permanently or you may remove it after a short period of time if you prefer. No copyright disputes here!"
which clearly means this thread is mainly aimed at people who by default are happy to have edited versions of their images posted as part of C&C or help in aspects of image editing.
If someone does not want edited versions of their images posted they can simply follow the instruction in the above quote from the op.
I agree with David's "like" while I also understand Dan's comment. This is a little like the discussion on the eyes of "The Thinker." Changing the focus isn't right or wrong, it gives a different interpretation to the image. Bryan has the bright, beady little eyes as the point we must look at. The more softly focussed areas mean we automatically move our attention to the eyes. The image conveys the alert, cheeky personality of the individual bird. Having the whole bird in sharp focus and we have a study of a species of bird.
If you understand my comment about it being a poor photo then perhaps you could try to explain why the top of the head is in focus (since that is where Bryan said he thinks he focussed) and why the front of the body is blurred since they are both in the same vertical plane.
Because the top of the head and the front of the body are in the same vertical plane they should both be in focus or both be blurred.
To me, it looks like focus was missed when the shot was taken and so mostly the whole bird was blurred but the area around the top of the head was able to be sharpened to some extent in post.
Dan, it isn't a point worth making. If you have been around photography for a while you will understand that things like leading lines, dof and variations in brightness can direct our eyes in different ways. That's part of the skill of a photographer. Their choices influence the way we respond to an image. If the whole bird had been in focus, it wouldn't have been "punchier" it would have been a different communication from the image. You get upset Dan if you consider that someone is changing the meaning of your words. That's what you are doing here with the image. You aren't tuning in to what they photograph is doing, you are suggesting that the message should be something else. Let's discuss what the image actually contains. It may of course mean different things to different people.
The title is inappropriate: not everyone's cup of tea.
You are already admitting that nothing matches the real photo!
When it comes to you, it is your artistic freedom: not everyone's cup of tea.
With others, you pay attention to small details if something is wrong in a photo.
How are we supposed to take you seriously?
Agreed Fireplace.
The moment Sagittarius has caught draws on some of the deepest human drives. We empathize with the parent and baby and the bond between them.
Two things (and there are others) make the photo special. The side angle and silhouetting of the background emphasizes the relative size of the two. Contrasting with the obvious power of the parent is the delicacy of the hand contact.
Magic.