Molting American Goldfinch

[Bill Dix]

From Brigantine last Friday. I think this may illustrate several of the same points I noted in Lance's Oystercatcher: I believe the head and bill are pretty close to parallel to the sensor plane, but still a bit of head turn would have given more presence to the image since the bird's body is turned slightly away; and I believe the head and bill are a bit beyond the plane of focus which seems to be more on the shoulder or maybe the thistle. (Bird was some distance away and this is a large crop.) Unfortunately he flew before I got off a second shot. C&C appreciated.

D90 | 80-400 VR @ 400mm | ISO 640 | 1/2500s @ f/7.1 | -0.7 EV | HH

[Julie Brown]

Hi Bill. I think you covered the techs in your self-critique. You have a catchlight in the eye, and that is always the first thing I look for in my images. I don't know what you have in your archives, but I think this is a good reference image for the molting plumage.

[John Chardine]

And of course the moult means only one thing- winter is coming.

Agree with your own critique Bill. The head angle is too far gone around the corner. Nice to see a goldfinch doing what it's supposed to do- sit on a thistle. The lighting you had was a problem, coming from the right side- only think you could have done is move.

[Bill Dix]

And of course the moult means only one thing- winter is coming.

Agree with your own critique Bill. The head angle is too far gone around the corner. Nice to see a goldfinch doing what it's supposed to do- sit on a thistle. The lighting you had was a problem, coming from the right side- only think you could have done is move.

Thanks John. I tried to move, but he beat me to it. Oh well, there's no shortage of Goldfinches to practice on.

[Peter Farrell]

Hi Bill,
I like the light on the top half of the bird, must be my novice eye. Bottom half of the bird, maybe a little to bright. I like the thistle perch and the BG.
Peter

[Lance Peters]

Hi Bill - agree with your own critique - If only these birds would land in the right place at the right time - would make life much easier.
Softer light - a Bit more head turn and all would have been rosey :)

[Mark Young]

So close to being spot on. The only thind I'ld add to your self critique is to have move slightly to your right to get more of a uniform blue bg.