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Nearly the kite shot I wanted

Discussion

12 replies
Posted by eric weight on May 15, 2008 at 3:22 PM
Nearly the kite shot I wanted
I enjoyed my trip to Gigrin so much recently, that I had to post something to give me an excuse to thank Mike Smith again for organising it. I was surprised how hard I found it to get what I wanted given that I had so many opportunities in the hour or so that we were watching them. I had terrible trouble following them and keeping the whole bird in frame at 400mm. The speed at which their most photogenic manouevres are performed is a sight to behold, so I took quite a few shots at shorter focal lengths enabling me to keep them in shot and crop for comp afterwards. This is the closest to what I was after and about 60% of the frame. Practice makes perfect I guess, so I shall have to return soon.
C&C welcome as always.
:wavey: :wavey: Eric

400D 100-400 @ 260
1/1000 f/5.6 iso 400
shadows/highlights in CS3

Posted by Frederic Desmette on May 15, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Very nice picture of red kite, I like the colour of the sky who does show the bird. :toast:
Frederic
Posted by John Chapman on May 15, 2008 at 3:59 PM
Super flight shot Eric and I like the pose of the bird.
John :toast:
Posted by Dave Courtenay on May 15, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Works for me, I visited Gigrin a while ago and know how difficult it can be-you have done well here-i like the sky

Dave
Posted by Rob Fisher on May 15, 2008 at 4:24 PM
Eric,

Great image, I like the birds pose and that piercing stare is fantastic.

If you head over to Gigrin again, and fancy some company, give me a buzz - always need more practice at flight shots.

Rob
Posted by Alan Woolnough on May 15, 2008 at 5:19 PM
A fine catch Eric,

Your persistance paid off very nicely :toast: :toast:

Alan
Posted by Andy Astbury on May 15, 2008 at 5:28 PM
Good solid image there Eric :toast:

Fancy trying them at 800mm then :biggrin: :razz: :wink:
Posted by Mike Smith on May 16, 2008 at 2:43 AM
One of the tips for shooting at Gigrin is to go in December when the weather is fine - the sun angle is much lower at winter 2pm feeding time , by 3pm when the tourists have gone the sun is setting so you get fantastic underwing glows - of course light levels are low and shutter speeds rather tricky, but the potential for stunning images is better.


Mike
Posted by Matt Cole on May 16, 2008 at 3:51 AM
looks good to me Eric, nice work.

Matt
Posted by Paul Thomas on May 16, 2008 at 4:22 AM
Nice one Eric. I think shooting a bit smaller in the frame and then cropping iskey to upping the keeper rate.

:toast:

Paul
Posted by David Kjaer on May 16, 2008 at 5:41 AM
Hi Eric

Very nice image - I particularly like the pose and sky!

David :toast:
Posted by Paul Inglis on May 16, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Hi Eric,

Fantastic flight shot!
:toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by Magnus Hird on May 17, 2008 at 9:16 AM
Like the post and eye contact a lot - don't think I'd get anything this sharp in flight! Is there a small dust mark just to the right of its head? :smile: