[Keith Tate]

This was made in the spring when the male goldfinch reach it's peak color change..

[stepheno]

Excellent, cracking image ...the only thing that spoils it is the branch in the lower left corner.

[Toonie]

Beautiful image, I think I would remove the branch on the lower left tho'

[Sonsey]

Fine colour and detail Kieth

I do have to agree with the others though, removing the branch would make this better.

Great shot

[P-E]

Cracking shot

[danpen]

Really nice shot, sharp, good colours and a great glint of light in the eye to give it some life. Might benefit from a bit more background to the right hand side, so the bird was less central and looking into the shot.

[Markulous]

Nice classic pose - lovely detail!

And I'll not mention the branch. Oops!

[Rob Barron]

Whilst I know what people mean about the branch, I have to say I am happy with it there for a couple of reasons:

The first is that without it, the bird will be 'balancing' on a stick in the middle of the picture with nothing either side of it. The branch just gives it a bit more stable platform to give it support.

The other is that I wonder if we are getting a bit too quick to insist on taking this out and putting that in. Didigtal photography is great and has breathed a whole new life into this wonderful hobby of ours. But the fact is that branch is there, with a film camera that branch would stay there. It provides context for the bird and does not interfere in the sense of it being bright and drawing attention away from the main subject etc. Let's be fine with making adjustments to pictures but not so picky that every leaf, twig and branch that isn't where we wanted it to grow has to be lopped off and burnt on the Photoshop fire!

Just my opinion but it is one I find a lot in discussions with keen phototgraphers around the different clubs when judging. I even got a ripple of applause for saying something similar at one club a few weeks ago with one member standing up and saying how refreshing he felt it was that a judge was seeing the picture that was there and not insisting that every little thing is cloned out. Plenty of murmurs of approval from other members confirmed that this is an area we need to keep a balance on.

Love the picture Keith, perhaps the tiniest bit soft on the beak but maybe due to compression for the internet. Well captured :o)

Cheers,
Rob

[Dabhand16]

An interesting and valid point Rob. I started a thread here on a similar theme some time ago.

I do now find myself taking a shot where, for instance, there might be someone or something that I would prefer to not be in the shot, and rather than either finding another angle, or waiting for the right moment, I'll go for it thinking I can sort it out in the edit. Is this being lazy, or just using the 'tools of the trade'?

[Toonie]

I still think that it looks better without the branch. Cover it up with your hand, your eye then goes straight to the main subject & is not distracted by anything else I can see myself getting 100 lines for saying this tho' Lol

[Rob Barron]

Originally Posted by Toonie

I still think that it looks better without the branch. Cover it up with your hand, your eye then goes straight to the main subject & is not distracted by anything else I can see myself getting 100 lines for saying this tho' Lol

Right Toonie, write out 100 times:

'Sticks and stones might break my bones but in pictures they will not hurt me!'

[Keith Tate]

Thanks very much for all the fine comments/critiques,,, all appreciated.. I did give some thoughts to removing the branch before posting ,,, but,, as you see I left it in.. Thanks to everyone.....