Red Tail pre-flight

Very nice. I really like the very unusual pose. It looks like the face might be just a little OOF but not enough to ruin the shot.I agree with Rich about using manual settings. I always use manual settings because I Ieaned photography in the days before cameras had auto exp, auto metering, auto flash etc.

Hi Jennifer, welcome to the forums. It's always helpful in critiquing if you post the techs of your shot. In this case you did a nice job capturing the moment of take-off, but it's hard to say if you needed more DOF or SS (or both) to have the bird sharper. Look forward to seeing more of your work.

Jennifer,

Welcome to NPN's Avian Critique Gallery, it is a great place to learn, to share techniques and to become better photographers.

This is an interesting take off pose but it appears that it wasn't quite in focus. Listing your techs with each post will help us to give you more thoughtful critiques of your images.

I do use auto focus, set my camera to aperture priority, shut off auto ISO to adjust that myself for each shot and use auto white balance. In ACR I can make adjustments to the WB during processing if needed.

Looking forward to seeing more of your work.

Now that is one great pose.
Well done.
May

Sorry about not including the exposure info. Here it is: Canon Eos 450D 300mm f/5.6 1/1000s ISO 400
I really enjoy the feedback from everyone. Thank you all so much. I have learned a lot already from reading the critiques on other photos.
Jen

I agree with others on this one Jennifer. Welcome to NPN. I like the pose and the wonderful BG. I am not a big cloner, but if the two branches in the ULHCwas not there is would make the image more powerful IMO. Just a little more sharpness on the bird to make this really sing. Please do list your techs with your images. We could really help you get used to manual settings much quicker. Overall, nice shot and keep them coming. Nothing replaces getting out and shooting when it comes to improving your images.

This is a really dramatic pose you captured well here Jennifer. Is it cropped much?

Welcome to NPN, Jennifer. Except for being very slightly soft, an excellent first Avian post. Except that suspect it isn't pre-flight but, ah... evacuation? Chalking? Choose your euphemism, but don't get under the bird.

I'm looking forward to your comments on others' posts. It's an excellent way to learn.

Jim:
I didn't "scare" him away. ;) He landed about eight feet in front of me and spent almost ten minutes there. I took over fifty exposures. I was starting to think he was ill or injured somehow but then the female came soaring above calling and off he went. I have a nice picture of him preening that I will post later tonight. :)
Nate: I didn't crop it at all. I barely know how to use photoshop LOL That is my next thing to learn. :)
Again, thank you all for the feedback
Jen