Scarlet Rosefinch

[Mats Honkamaa]

http://obj.fotosidan.se/obj/photo/74/74275c94547423a618c41880420c625f.jpg
Camera: Canon EOS 400D (Rebel XTi)
Lens: Canon EF 400/5.6L USM
Focal Length: 400 mm
Shutter Speed: 1/800 sec
Aperture Value: 7.1
ISO: 400

First I didnt like this photo, maybe mainly because of the messy background. But I think it has something and would like some help(tips on how to improve it. Its a beautiful bird, look like it belongs in much warmer regions than where I took this shoot, just a few miles south of the arctic circle.

[Alfred Forns]

As presented you can take the hot spot in the bg left of the bird and go over the bg trying to blur just a bit. Would have like a slightly more head turn and moving left/right would have kept the thick branches from intersecting the head. Can also take some from the top. Do like the bird placement in frame with more room on the rigst, good exposure and sharp.

btw the bg blur should be very slight. Try to simulate a lens being used wide open. Much more normally looks strange !!! You might also want to check your lens with a converter. It will not AF with that camera but will produce sharp images. It becomes an 800 !!!!

[Anita Rakestraw]

You got the bird and the foreground nicely sharp, and it is a very pretty little bird! Agree with Alfred's suggestions. It also looks just a little dark on my monitor.

[Gus Cobos]

Nice composition,
Sharp subject and good details. Agree with Mr. Al on the techs...:cool:

[Oscar Zangroniz]

Nice and sharp, agree with Al regarding the techs.
Congrats,