Female Purple Finch (I Think)

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

-20250606-_SA10055-Yardbirds-DxO_DeepPRIME 3-Edit.jpg
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Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

I was back in my blind a couple of days ago and this finch came into the back of my ground pool to drink. There was just a small bit of light coming through the trees to spotlight her and I liked the effect. Luckily, she gave me a fairly decent head turn.

Specific Feedback

I cleaned up a bunch of the fir needles and burned the rest a bit. Should I have done them all or do they add to the image?

Technical Details

Sony A1, FE 200-600 + 1.4 TC @ 840 mm, tripod, f/9, 1/5000, iso 4000 (wasn’t used to having light to work with). Preprocessing in DxO PureRaw 5, processed in LR & PS CC. Cropped to 7296x5136. Removed a few overly bright fir needles and burned the lower left corner where there was a green reflection in the water that I found distracting.

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1 Like
2

I like how the light really spotlights the finch, Dennis. Good detail and pose and the composition is pleasing. Fir needles almost act as a leading line to the finch. I’d be tempted to take out the green stalk in the upper left-draws my eye a bit.

3

Great light on the bird, Dennis.
I like the dark Surround. and bit of reflection.
Nice!

4

An excellent comp and the shadows provide a nice staging area for the bird. The fir needles that you left in the frame add to the context. Well done…Jim

5

Hi Dennis
I like the high contrast. The spot light brings my eye to the Finch’s head and eye, and the reflection is a plus.
Peter

6

Hi Dennis, nice spotlight effect. The fir needles in the dark background add interest and help set the scene. A fine image.