Lesser Goldfinch at Gilbert Water Ranch (Gilbert, Arizona)
I like this because its a horizontal crop and I seldom get a chance to get a horizontal picture of these Goldfinches feeding on the sun flower seeds. However, I have a big question about the OOF sunflower on the perching branch. I'm thinking that if it were in focus it would compete with the finch because the sunflower is bigger than the finch. Then I'm thinking maybe I am just making that up to save the picture.
1/500 at F11 and ISO400 EC -2/3
Bigma at 500mm
Canon 40D
I like the perch, BG and details. The OOF flower in the foreground doesn't work for me since it competes with the subject and partially blocks the bird.
I agree with Axel on the OOF flower. The reset of the image is really neat, well exposed with superb BG. If the flower were in focus your finch would be OOF.
I know you like the concept of a horizontal comp, but because of the OOF flower, I would give in, crop it vertically to eliminate the flower. Give it a try, see how it looks. I think the potential there is greater than with the current crop.
All are correct. The general rule is that o-o-f stuff in front of the bird is usually an image killer. I would not go that far here but it is distracting. I would lose one of the two leaves on the right side.
Getting rid of the o-o-f bud is possible but it would require some work (using QMs).
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