European Green Finch

[Bill Nuttall]

My first posting on this specialist site

SW France - Garden
Nikon D750 + Nikon 600mm f4
ISO 640 f5.6

please Critique freely and as harshly as you feel necessary as I am a relative beginner and need to improve

The white circles in the bg are daisies

[gail bisson]

Welcome Bill! An excellent first post!
The IQ of the bird is excellent.
Lovely colors and I like how the yellow lichen compliments the bird.
Nice to see the feet so well.
Nice POV as well. I like the green BG, as it is not too overpowering.
I think this would look great as a vertical- I would come in from the RHS to the first "t" in Nuttypix and to halfway through the big OOF daisy below and in front of the bird.
In a perfect world you would have a bit more DOF to try and get the tail in focus. A slight turn of the head toward the viewer wouldn't hurt either.
Look forward to seeing more of your images,
Gail
If you decide you prefer the landscape orientation then I would get rid of the white OOF daisy below and in front of the bird.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Welcome from me too Bill.
A spectacular first image really. Very impressive IQ and the bird is just beautiful.
I totally agree with Gail about the vertical presentation thought. Being so upright in stance and not many other elements in the frame
a vertical presentation would be ideal IMO.
Looking forward to seeing more from you.

[Bill Nuttall]

Thanks for your comments - really helpful and just what I need

I have this (different) image and I have changed it to "vertical" and tried to get rid of the white circles, but my PP in CS is limited

It is taken at f7.1 so more detail in the tail .... but a part is hidden - but I had to go to ISO 1000

maybe not enough space to the left and the bg still needs work

Thanks again

[Daniel Cadieux]

For sure a vertical would look better, but with additional breathing room for the comp especially above. Great IQ on the subject, well exposed and with lots of details. The OP has a better head angle than the repost, making it a stronger pose.

A big welcome to BPN!!