[paula]

After dozens of tries with inate subjects I dared, on a nice day!) venture out into my homemade hide and take pictures of the real live subjects that do not know the rules of posing patiently.
This is the result......Would apriciate very much members comments on it........good and bad!
It is a bit high in kb......but did not want to loose too much by jpeg ing it even more.
D60
100-400@400
1/500 f.5.6
Partial metering
Mode AV

[Steve]

Not bad as logs go , but there appears to be a bird sat on it, should of got rid of it first, ruins the shot for me.

[Booga]

Very good picture Paula. The detail on the log and the bird is great. How far where you from the Finch when you grabbed the shot?

[Fab]

Excellent picture, good depth of field, good exposure and of course, great subject!

[LuBird]

I think it is perfect. It looks like the Portrait shots often done for Calendars:)

[alan_rymer]

Paula

Excellent shot of log!. Do you photograph all the logs you burn?.
I suppose you could also photo bottles of wine and put them in an album with your comments on drinkability!.
The Greenfinch is also excellent, It looks frozen in time, but thats what a photo is!.
I hope the humour translates!
Well done!.

[Tammie]

Paula, that is a stunning photo. Looks like you're not going to have any trouble with that camera. This bird looks like he was very cooperative for you. Nice job and such a pretty bird too!

[jayhunter]

Great shot Paula a very underated bird, caught in the sunlight they look fantastic. Caught the yellow tail and wing feathers well.

[IanF]

An excellent shot Paula, one that I would be very pleased with myself. It has a lovely range of colours and the focus is spot on. It's a very crisp and colourful photo.

The only criticism that could be made is that the bill is slightly underexposed making it a bit on the bright side rather than showing it's colour, but that is a minor thing considering the excellence of the rest of the shot.

[dylan]

Very nice Paula.
Even though the background is green the bird really stands out.

[Andrew]

An excellent bird photograph and the greenery and yellows come through well.

[ariddle]

Paula, what an awesome photo! The new camera must be everything you've dreamed of. And just think, you'll just get better and better the more you work with it. Pretty soon you'll be showing us "Nigel level" shots! Great job.
Alicia

[Reader]

Excellent shot Paula. I haven't been able to capture a Greenfinch as good as this yet so I am a tad bit envious. You have made a superb start. keep it up. I, for one, will be interested to see how the next lot come out.

[MikePearson]

Nice one Paula, and tahnks for getting me going on this photo thingy. I took it a couple of weeks back using my CP4500 and my scope. I cant remember the exact settings but the light wasn't terrific. I have jpeg'd it as it is a varey big file. A pity I chopped the tail off though (bad composition really).

Incidently, I arrived home this morning and parked beside my neighbours car. Literally two feet away from me and totally unphased by me and my vehicle, was a chaffinch doing battle with itself in her wing mirror. This went on for a few minutes, great fun to watch but alas no camera. (Ouch, can you here me kicking myself?) Would have been a great entry for the reflections competion, sigh.......

Mike

[T0ny]

Paula & Mike,
Both excellent photos - now that spring is here, I must get out and try to get some pix myself.

Tony

[LezH]

Great pics. Gonna see what I can do at the weekend (between rugby matches).

Frightened of the competition? Don't be! Blurred black blobs in the bottom left-hand corner? They'll be mine. I must be the only wannabe wildlife photographer that includes hammer and nails in his photo kitbag; well, how else are you gonna keep 'em still?

Lez

[Grousemore]

I thought it was a very good picture,in particular it looked exactly like a Greenfinch looks,as opposed to some pics (with or without artistic input) where there can be confusion over the I.D.

[Andy Bright]

Excellent in every aspect, Paula. Very nice diffused background with everything else razor sharp.
The camera + lens seems to be worth every penny.
Andy

[Marysan]

It's gorgeous, Paula!

Paula if that is the first one you post then God help the rest of us!!! You should be justly proud. The picture is a stunning achievement.

[steve_nova]

Excellent picture Paula. Sharp image with nicely diffused background sets it off brilliantly.
You have already set yourself a standard to keep up with!

[KCFoggin]

Absolutely beautiful!

[paula]

My Goodness, I feel overwhelmed with the response to this first picture! Thank you all very much and sure, the log is a bit powerfull.........I shall make amends and get thin twigs for the birds to perch on.
IanF, I noticed that the beak is a bit washed out, do not know what to do about that though......PS job?
Googa, my homemade hide is about 4 meters away from the log and perches.
Weather awfull, so trying out other settings indoors, instead!
Thank you again.....it spurrs me on and on........

[Ragna]

Paula
superb ptoto it clearly shows the extra quality when using a slr lens combo over a scope.If your only problem is a washed out beak you have no problems the photo is perfect get taking some more

[Andrew]

That's the beauty of bird forum. Quality is always recognised and everyone encourages each other! A great place.