Lesser Goldfinch Sprucing it Up

[Brian Sump]

With the new baby boy I have to be a little more creative when and where I shoot. Caught this little fella atop a gorgeous blue spruce in the backyard.

Taken around 645pm, slight cloud cover. In hindsight, would have stopped down a bit for better overall sharpness.

D850
600mm + 1.4x
HH
ISO 1000
1/2000
f5.6

C1P and PS, normal contrast, HL, tone. Reduced some blues in shadows, curves adj on the mids, enhanced blacks. ~ 50% crop.

[David Roach]

Really love this canvas overall. Looks great for 50% crop, great job with the yellows as I see details everywhere with sweet light. TFS

ps
Love the grip on those needles.

[William Dickson]

Well done Brian....I love to see nice yellows with a green BG and it works well here.Good detail on the bird....if anything I may reduce the highlights on the perch slightly


Will

[Daniel Cadieux]

Fun to see this species as opposed to the American Goldfinch which we see lots of. Nice and clean composition that works well. I do find the highlights in both the yellows and the needles to be a touch too bright - toning those down would undoubtedly improve the overall look. Backyard photography can be surprisingly fun - take advantage of it!

[kevin Hice]

Beautiful shot Brian love the colors and the background all compliment each other. I agree with Will on the spruce would like to see more color in the new growth.Congratulations on the new baby. TFS

[Brian Sump]

Great suggestions on the branch brightness.

Kevin, thanks it's exciting!

[John Mack]

Love the title. The pose is nice as well as the perch. The background is killer.

[Randy Stout]

Brian:

Cute title, agree with comments re: toning down yellows and spruce a bit.

Nice to have lots of pixels to work with.

Congrats on your son. Now that will be a life long adventure!

Cheers

Randy

[Brian Sump]

Thanks John and Randy

[Jonathan Ashton]

Nice shot Brian too bright for me and possibly a tad too much contrast, it looks a little bit "in my face".

[Joseph Przybyla]

Hi Brian, lovely image. Nice clean image, perfect background. I also think the highlights on the yellow and perch could be toned down. Congratulation on you new son. Thank you for sharing.