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I have struggled back and forth shooting wildlife with, getting shots

that are simple snapshot portraits instead of a unique photograph.

This is a elusive Virginia Rail. It is a rare find and a decent

portrait, BUT is it a photograph worthy of a wall hanging? What would

make it a wall hanger?

As a trophy it belongs on the wall. What would make it a wall hanger, if you mean very broad appeal for bird or wildlife photographs: I wish I knew!

In response to your question, I was hoping to play around with your image in PSE but as you have selected the "Gif" option, I am unable to do so.

Nevertheless....... I would have played with sliders, lightening and darkening and tried a little sharpening........

I like the positioning of the bird in the frame, although I might have considered cropping a little off the right (as viewed) and added some to the left (if the original allowed).

As for a wall hanging....... I believe one needs to "see" the bird rather than "look" for it..... just MHO.

Regards

I'm curious what did you mean by, I believe one needs to "see" the bird rather than "look" for it..... just MHO. Thanks for the comments btw.

... thanks for your message. Reposted here.

The bird is very "dark" in the image and one has to "look" hard to see it. I had hoped to download it and tweak it for more prominance.... so that one saw the bird at first glance. The first thing that caught my eye was the lighter wood/branch to the left (as viewed) and then I saw the bird.

Just MHO = just my humble opinion. 

Michael....... I have not re-checked the image nor your portfolio before responding here, but you would do well to post this type of question in the thread for the image..... I would respond exactly the same, however, others may disagree/agree and your image could become a bit of a talking point, from which we all can learn.

The fact that you have caught a rare bird is commendable, which is why I responded in the first place.............. I just feel that your presentation could have been a little better in terms of sorting out the lighting in Post processing.

In friendship

Regards

Unfortunately the image is slightly dark to begin with. This has already been lightened in PS within the realms of what are possible without adding a tremendous amount of grain.

The major problem with this bird was that it was on the West side of a boardwalk about 40min after sunrise in deep shade. I would have waited for this little guy to get in the sun but every time he got into the open he would DART into the next patch of reeds and I would have to wait 5 min for him to pick his way through them back into the "open," and he was working his way farther and farther to being under the boardwalk I was standing on and not allowed to get off.

It's a fail in equipment which I do not know how to get around,

ExposureTime: 1/250 s
FNumber: f/5.6
ISOSpeedRatings: 320

-a tripod possibly could have allowed me to kick down the exposure time slightly more

-f/5.6 is the lowest the Nikkor 28-300mm can go reasonably without a heavy vignetting being introduced

-shooting the D200(7 years old at this point) anything above ISO400 is completely unusable imo