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Thread: Snacking on the sumac

  1. #1
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Default Snacking on the sumac

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    In my continuing backyard series. This male goldfinch was chomping on a sunflower seed, and struck this nice pose on the sumac. I had just put a tether on the sumac shoot, which had been growing straight up, and pulled it over to the angle you see, because it usually gives images than the straight up version (unless the bird sits on the top!)

    I have been struck by how much the background color has changed in the past week as spring finally gets to Michigan.

    D300 500mm f/4 f/5.6 1/500 ISO 1000 Aperture priority -.7 Beamer on SB800 -1.0 Gitzo WII


    Comments appreciated as always!

    Randy
    Last edited by Randy Stout; 05-05-2009 at 08:13 PM.

  2. #2
    Alfred Forns
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    Hi Randy I like the pose and bg Would suggest taking some form the bottom so the bird is less centered.

    Might check the point of focus since the sharpest point seems to be the wing? Might give the head area an extra usm pass !!! Appealing and like the image !!!

  3. #3
    BPN Viewer Dave Leroy's Avatar
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    Lovely job on the colours Randy. Nice and sharp and I also like a bit off the bottom. Really nice.
    Dave

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    IOTY Winner 2010 Chris Kotze's Avatar
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    Lovely colours,pose and a super background
    Chris Kotze

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    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
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    I like the fuzzy perch, the angle of the bird, and the head turn. Nice colors too. I agree with Alfred on focus point.

  6. #6
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    I like the diagonal perch, and a lovely pose and head turn captured in this Randy. What a killer BG too. I agree a little off the bottom would work.

  7. #7
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Thanks everyone for your comments.

    Alfred and Steve were correct on the focus point. This was the first of a series. I got onto the eye in later shots, but the pose wasn't as good. I should have sharpened the head a bit more. I am always trying not to blow out highlights, so try not to over sharpen.

    I also appreciate the composition comments. I had room all the way around, but was trying to avoid a square crop. I really like the diagonals of the perch and bird, and will work on the crop a bit more.

    Thanks all!

    Randy
    Last edited by Randy Stout; 05-06-2009 at 06:55 AM.

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    IMO the yellows could be tone down just a very little bit, other than that, I love it, great pose, expsoure, light and BG.

  9. #9
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Thanks again everyone for the comments:

    I have tweaked it a bit. 1)sharpened head 2) recropped 3) toned down the yellows a bit

    See if you think this is better.

    Thanks

    Randy

  10. #10
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    Perfect to me now! :) Congratulations!

  11. #11
    Alfred Forns
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    Huge difference Randy The toning down of yellows brought lots of feather detail All changes for the positive!!

  12. #12
    Dave Phillips
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    wow, you really hit a huge improvement Randy, esp in the yellows

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