It is a nice, sharp shot, Ray, and your cropping suits the subject matter. I think that a little extra attention to reducing the effects of some of the shadows on the bird would improve it further.
I like the almost pano format and the twig in the beak adds interest.
This could just me my monitor but the eye looks a little soft (although it's hard to be sure on these small jpegs) and there looks to be quite a pronounced halo around the bird, most evident on the top of the bird.
Ray
Just spent all day doing the same stuff but with HS Martins
Difficult light job you had but did you think of dropping "on camera " contrast" ?
Great opp missed a bit I reckon, and the halo worries me somewhat.
As does the "Flipped " You must mean "mirrored " We don't want upsidisy Swallows surely !
Cheers
John
Not working for me I'm afraid, the halo and the slight softness mentioned, but I'm not at all fond of the crop, it desperately needs more room below as the bird appears to be looking down..... I would also have liked if possible (I reaslise not always possible) a slightly lower viewpoint.... concur with John, an opportunityso near but not quite.
Discussion
5 replies600mm f/4, 1/60 sec @ f10, tripod mounted, cable release used. PP in CS4. Cropped to suit subject. Distracting/intrusive B.G., mud, cloned out. Flipped.
David
I like the almost pano format and the twig in the beak adds interest.
This could just me my monitor but the eye looks a little soft (although it's hard to be sure on these small jpegs) and there looks to be quite a pronounced halo around the bird, most evident on the top of the bird.
Just spent all day doing the same stuff but with HS Martins
Difficult light job you had but did you think of dropping "on camera " contrast" ?
Great opp missed a bit I reckon, and the halo worries me somewhat.
As does the "Flipped " You must mean "mirrored " We don't want upsidisy Swallows surely !
Cheers
John