Not the green cross code, but something I've noticed processing my recent birding shots. Irrespective of the image quality, I am attracted more to photos where the subject is facing the viewers right. Is it just me? Is there a reason ?

blue tit 3 by Martin Bone, on Flickr

blue tit1 by Martin Bone, on Flickr

 

I do prefer lead lines in landscapes to come in from the left. Maybe it's something to do with us reading from left to right.

 

Yes I think that's it. The eye sits nicely on the right third.

 

Makes no difference to me, overall composition more important than which way they look.

 

I think you may be right, but in these pictures, look at the stances of the birds; in the first, the bird seems alert and happy with life, upright stance, feathers on head slightly erect. Also a more interesting twig and background. In the second, the bird appears to be crouching, making itself small, perhaps trying to avoid a predator and the branches are less interesting and the background more distracting.

Have you tried flipping them horizontally?

S

 

For birds the positioning isn't controlled so for me it makes no difference which way the bird faces, more important is the framing and most of the time this is achieved by cropping (I am impressed how close you get - the exif shows 6m) so has some freedom.

 

I try to find a location that has heavy footfall of people. Places like the local park, popular footpaths, outdoor seating at cafés or pubs etc. After a while the birds become quite tame and will come close.