Posted by Barry Southon on January 12, 2009 at 2:50 PM
Late November I sought pointers in respect of flight shots, I'd been getting too many bum shots and shots with the subject exiting the frame why is it they are always in focus?
Advice as ever was forthcoming and appreciated I tried to implement the comments best I could although I must admit I let excitement of the moment and the ensuing buzz take control. In constant prevailing below freezing conditions species were in attendence and provided the challenge.
Although I'm following a DVD tuition in PP I still have a way to go.
Thanks for looking. Critique Comments Advice most welcome.
Barry
Posted by Matt Cole on January 12, 2009 at 3:45 PM
that's some focal length Barry, flight shots can't be easy at 1200mm The lighting doesn't look the best here and it would perhaps benefit from a levels shift and a touch more sharpening, but you've done well to capture the bird.
It looks like you've caught the incoming bird pretty well here. I like the movement in the wings and the way the bird appears to be looking straight towards you.
Sugestions for improvement would be, a slight increase in contrast on the bird, a bit more sharpening, as Matt suggests, and the only other thing that would have benefited the image would have been a little more room at the top of the frame, although this is certainly easier said than done when following fast action/movement.
Sharp, but not what I would call “Pin” sharp on my monitor. From a compositional point of view, I think I would add some canvas at the top, and crop the sides to suit. Just below the Buzzard there are two twigs the same length, I would consider cloning out half of the L.H. one, they look strange to my eye.
Were you using a Wimberley, as they really come into their own for this type of photography with this size of optics.
Great shot.
I agree with Justin and Matt about sharpness and contrast.
Posted by Lee Newman on January 13, 2009 at 8:01 AM
Nits covered but well caught action.
Lee
Posted by Magnus Hird on January 14, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Well caught, flight shots are something for this year for me, perhaps! Main nit for me is the tightness at the top, but keeping it all in the frame at this focal length is a good effort. Keep going with the PP - will help here as suggested
Discussion
6 repliesAdvice as ever was forthcoming and appreciated I tried to implement the comments best I could although I must admit I let excitement of the moment and the ensuing buzz take control. In constant prevailing below freezing conditions species were in attendence and provided the challenge.
Although I'm following a DVD tuition in PP I still have a way to go.
Canon 1D3 Canon 800mm + 1.4x extender Tripod f/8 1/400sec ISO200 1120mm.
RAW to lightroom and PS to resize for posting.
Thanks for looking. Critique Comments Advice most welcome.
Barry
Matt
Sugestions for improvement would be, a slight increase in contrast on the bird, a bit more sharpening, as Matt suggests, and the only other thing that would have benefited the image would have been a little more room at the top of the frame, although this is certainly easier said than done when following fast action/movement.
Were you using a Wimberley, as they really come into their own for this type of photography with this size of optics.
I agree with Justin and Matt about sharpness and contrast.
Lee