Not the best goldfinch shot you're likely to see...

...but today I don't care!

I bought Paul's Sigma 500, and yesterday he dropped it down to where I work (top man - thanks Paul!). Weather stopped play yesterday, so this morning before work I set up some teasels on top of a niger seed feeder in my garden, popped up a hide and waited for dawn. Rubbish light (who said that a south facing garden was a good thing - obviously not into photography?!), and I know that the BG is poor. But still I'm happy - I finally have some big glass



Mark

Nikon D80; ISO 400; slight crop; Sigma 500; 1/125 @ F4.5. PP (quick and dirty) in CS2.

Well this certainly looks good to me - I really like the balance of the composition and poses of the birds. Perhaps just a bit over sharpened. Tristan

Actually, one of the best Goldfinch shots I have seen. Much more interesting than a rather boring portrait of a single bird. To get three birds so nicely arranged in the frame, and all pretty much sharply focused, and all facing towards the camera with hightlights in their eyes, is quite a feat. Only nit is a little more room at the bottom would be ideal. I really like this!

Must agree with the above comments Mark!

Great little 'arrangement' and super result

Alan

I think this is a very pleasing shot of a feeding party Mark. Yes may be a bit oversharpened in places. I always sharpen on a layer and then partially erase bits which are getting overshapened.

ÒK, maybe not the best but this is a darn good one. I like the balance in this one and also the natural colours. Well done.

Edwin Kats

Mark, quit your whining! Its a good shot!! I'd be well happy with this.

I think its really good. I like the position of the birds and the plants. The lens is great isnt it? I have one and have really enjoyed using it. As you say the BG could be better but in the circumstances I think you have come away with a great shot.

Paul

Agree slightly oversharpened but a great shot with a difference. Birds on a stick (that's me!) suck! Far more interesting for the viewer with 3 birds! Can't compete

Agree with more canvas at the bottom,stil nice image

Very nice I like it

Andy

I really don't know what your grumble is all about! Jeremy summed up what I think about your photo. Only thing I would do beside a bit less sharpening would be to try to recover white parts of upper left bird.

Cheers,
Marko

Nice capture Mark - I'd be well happy to get 3 together in such a manner, and on teasels too

Perhaps could be processed a bit better, but it's a super image

This is terrific! There are certain species that seem really hard to get interesting or dynamic shots of and Goldfinches are up there with the best so this is refreshingly different and nicely composed. I'd be thrilled with this.
Dave

Wow - I'm really taken aback I thought that it was a nice shot, but that the BG was a problem. Thanks for pointing out the sharpening - I'll have a go at reprocessing it from scratch to see if I can improve it.

Mark