Lapwing

Taken on a rainy day a couple of months ago.

Canon 40d +400mm f5.6
1/640"
Ap Priority
ISO 200
EV -1
Spot metering

Hi Kim,
I think the image could be a bit wider ie more space around the body, and the eye/head doesnt look as sharp. Other than that, the colour seems ok, and the wing and tail seem sharp enough.

Thanks Paul - I did not crop this much as I was lying on the bank and the lapwing walked past me!!! Perhaps I focussed on the tail end rather than the head!

I suspect, you had the centre focus point selected? If so and this isnt cropped then the focus would be on the wing, and the limited dof may be enough to have the head just out side it? If i remember correctly, correct focus is 1/3 behind and 2/3 in front of the focus point.

Kim

I too have encountered the same senario I tended to focus on the centre which was my error Pauls explanation makes sense this highlights the advantage of this forum the tuition is endless.

Thanks for sharing.

Barry

Kansas / Eastbourne

nice composition and showing the orange undertail well, but like has been said the head isn't quite sharp, Paul explanation makes sense but i think it is 2/3 behind and 1/3 in front for depth of field, hence why on the closer focussing end of a lens the distances are placed further apart...? notsure anymore, i've just gone and confused myself

..and that's confused me too Jack. Generally I just try and aim for the eye of the bird - ir is this being too simplistic?!!

Think you're right Jack - the DOF lies 1/3 in front and 2/3 behind the point of focus.
Like the iridescence in this, but perhaps is a bit tight at the top, especially for the crest