Cardinal is posing for me

[Simurg]

Hello,

I took this lovely bird couple of days ago and it was posing for me patiently When I shoot birds on the branch most of the time focus is on the branch and I can't get the bird in focus. What would you change to make this photo better? I need a little help to find the right focus on the subject such as birds.

Thanks.


EXIF:
1/125 f/5.6 250.0 mm ISO 400
Manuel mode
Metering mode:Pattern
Manuel focus
One shot

[DigUpHerBones07]

I don't have any tips or tricks for you, but I quite like this photo as it is.

[wizziewoo]

same here, I think it's perfect, the tones, the crop, I like it!

[abchip]

On top of what everyone else said the DOF is spot on. With most everything around the cardinal out of focus the eye is immediately draw to the bird itself.

[xtremekramer]

Great shot.

[veggie1215]

are you using autofocus? sometimes i switch to manual if AF can't pick the right subject.
great photo too!

[kgb224]

I love these birds.
They look so gorgeous.
Wonderful picture captured by you.

[PrimeTime]

[QUOTE=Simurg;812225]Hello,

I took this lovely bird couple of days ago and it was posing for me patiently When I shoot birds on the branch most of the time focus is on the branch and I can't get the bird in focus. What would you change to make this photo better? I need a little help to find the right focus on the subject such as birds.

Thanks.


EXIF:
1/125 f/5.6 250.0 mm ISO 400
Manuel mode
Metering mode:Pattern
Manuel focus
One shot

Hi simurg, nice shot. The bird is centrally composed, i would consider a different crop using the rule of thirds or golden sections. Some selective saturation on the highlights will add a little pop to the colors as well.(not alot, just enough to accent what is there)

As for focus, first take your lens off and look through the viewfinder at a close light object and adjust the viewfinder untill it is sharp and clear. (replace the lens when done, don't want any dust inside the camera.) Now that the viewfinder is in focus, you will be able to see better if the lens has auto focused correctly. If not, just move the focus ring a little bit and push the shutter button 1/2 way again to refocus again. When you see a sharp focus in the view finder, take your shot. My camera does the same thing, i just blur out the focus and do it again untill i see a sharp focus in the viewfinder.

[jsklinger@yahoo.com]

Simurg,
I look at this a little differently than the others. Whereas I agree with them I like the capture of the cardinal, I find the branches distracting and they take away from the central subject. Of course, given the lens length, you were a ways away and maybe not able to get a different perspective easily. So, getting the shot is the most important thing. BUT, if you had the chance, I would have moved to your right to get the branch from 'running through the middle' of the guy.
IMHO.
Jim