American Goldfinch

Gallery: AvianPosted January 6, 2011136 views12 comments

One of my first shots of the Goldfinch this season, this one shows its winter plumage well..Gusty conditions, clear & mostly sunny.
F/10, 1/1000th, ISO 500, Canon 1D M3, 300mm f/2.8 + 1.4x ext. About 75% of the original here.

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Darren Colello on January 6, 2011 at 11:55 AM

I like this very much Howard. Very lovely plumage and excellent comp. Well done!!

Registered on July 27, 2009, 175 Posts, 1100 Comments

Comment posted by Ralph Kerr on January 6, 2011 at 12:45 PM

Great exposure,sharpness and overall, I like this very much. If it were mine, I would try to get rid of that vertical limb, only because it seems to draw my eye away from the Goldfinch. I am wondering if you could crop a bit more from the bottom and from the right to get rid of that limb. I love to photograph these birds, and you have done very well.

Registered on January 30, 2007, 369 Posts, 852 Comments

Comment posted by John Kerr on January 6, 2011 at 1:50 PM

Hi Howard, I too think this looks very nice. I do think the small vertical branch on the right is a little distracting. Maybe cropping this to a square might help the bird get all the attention. Just my thoughts.

Registered on October 28, 2009, 111 Posts, 1070 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 6, 2011 at 4:18 PM

Nice Goldfinch, Howard. I like the over-the-shoulder look. I think I might crop some of the empty space from the right.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on January 6, 2011 at 5:10 PM

I like it Howard. Kind of in harmony with the up and down branches balancing in the two opposite corners. Very nice head turn from the Goldfinch.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 6, 2011 at 5:52 PM

The composition here works for me as posted. I like strong graphics in images, and the branches (including the vertical on the right) provide that. I think this is nicely balanced as presented.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 6, 2011 at 6:09 PM

Very pretty, Howard: great head turn, catchlight, fine colors. I'd agree with those who recommend cropping some off the rhs.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 6, 2011 at 8:15 PM

Love this as posted Howard. Love the balance of the branches and the nice head turn. Nice DOF, sharpness, and detail. Very nice.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on January 6, 2011 at 9:50 PM

Nice image. I rather like the limb configuration here. Seems that all roads lead to the finch. He is beautiful and you have represented him well.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on January 7, 2011 at 9:30 AM

Love the comp on this one Howard! The bird is framed perfectly by the branches. Wonderfully seen and photographed!

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 7, 2011 at 10:02 PM

I like the comp with the right-angled perches and the eye contact. Well done Howard

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 9, 2011 at 9:19 AM

To those who have suggested more of a crop right side.
Please keep in mind that I have a 10 MP original, and this has already been cropped 25%. I appreciate ALL feedback, thank you all

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments