Goldfinch

[Nathaniel]

Not sure which is the best picture.

IMG_3416 by Nathaniel Ramanaden, on Flickr

IMG_3417 by Nathaniel Ramanaden, on Flickr

IMG_3412 by Nathaniel Ramanaden, on Flickr

IMG_3411 by Nathaniel Ramanaden, on Flickr

[antoeknee]

Re: Goldfinch

Slight issue is the bird is part obscured by the foliage in all the images. 1st and 2nd look tad soft.

Third probably the best. Slight lift in shadows and exposure together with slightly tighter crop would help.

[Nathaniel]

Re: Goldfinch

Thanks Ant. I have posted a few more on my flickr site and perhaps you might look at them as well. Before cropping these I looked at the eye via zooming, and they looked OK.I am aware of the foliage but I couldn't help that. They are difficult birds to sit still.

[Trev B]

Re: Goldfinch

I think it would have looked better with a tighter crop.
But Nat I say if you like your pictures that's all that matters, if other people like them, that's fine

[ctrollen]

Re: Goldfinch

Bear in mind that I'm only looking on my phone but they all look better when zoomed on Flickr than on here.

#3 (3412) definitely looks sharper on Flickr, and I think 3418 looks good too. I agree with others that they would definitely be improved with a tighter crop.

[Nathaniel]

Re: Goldfinch

Thanks Trev and Chris. Yes, I believe I can crop them a bit more. I find that the images always look sharper on flickr!

[antoeknee]

Re: Goldfinch

Thanks Ant. I have posted a few more on my flickr site and perhaps you might look at them as well. Before cropping these I looked at the eye via zooming, and they looked OK.I am aware of the foliage but I couldn't help that. They are difficult birds to sit still.

Nat, I also get images where part of the bird is obscured by something. In general I tend not to keep these as a better shot will happen at some point.

Anyway looked at the images on Flickr.

To me it seems:
3417 and 3407 - quite soft
3416 and 3411 - slightly soft
All the rest (3418, 3413, 3412 and 3409) all have good detail but look a bit dark. Lifting exposure and or shadow should help.

3413 and 3412 probably the pick of this selection.

[Nathaniel]

Re: Goldfinch

Thanks Ant for taking so much trouble. Much appreciated. I agree that I will get another opportunity to photograph the Goldfinch and I tend to keep what I have got till I get the second opportunity. Generally I am not very lucky in that I do not have a longer lens for some long range shots- which would be the real answer. The longest I would carry is the new Sigma 100-400mm lens but I am still weighing the pros and cons, over the 70-300mm L lens which I like very much.