Barn Owl

I have been lucky enough to find a site where there are several Barn Owls out on a regular basis. So I have taken a few shots of them none of which I am overly happy with


Now give me a Superbike going at 140mph and I can nail the shot every time so I would appreciate some help advice as to how to improve.

With regard to the current debate as to comments dont be shy I have very thick skin and a real desire to learn more.

So with that in mind fire away


D200
400mm 2.8 with 1.7TC
1/250 sec at f5.6 ISO 400
Tripod with 393 head




Ian

Hi Ian - with your Superbikes there's two things - one, I suspect they occupy somewhat more frame area, and two, they will present more contrast than this BO - more contrast and bigger in the frame means the camera AF system has more "meat" to grab hold of, it'll react quicker and more accurately.

Colour in an image can be a bit deceiving at times - try removing all the colour info from your Barny temporarily and you'll see the lack of contrast between the subject and the background.

Flight shots are really one of the hardest things to do in wildlife photography, and to get accurate images against a detailed background rather than the sky is even harder.

I would say that's pretty good given the light you are working with.
I think with a low golden sun falling on the scene you would have a magnificent image. I would wish for the owl a little higher in the frame and a catchlight in the eye.
This is a good example to make the point that the quality of light has a massive impact on the image that you make in my opinion.

Many Regards

JohnS

wibbly wobbly head ? The bird does appear slightly soft?( wings accepted). The comp for me has too much space above the bird .Having used a D200 for a few year the AF isn't in the same league as the later models and maybe reason for so many unhappy pics .The 300 isn't up to the same performance, despite tech specs , as the 3. Bifs are so much easier with the 3 but you are then at a dissadvantage with the crop factor.My experience is TC's and tele's dont mix too well optically when light is low.Stick with it the image has great potential.

Hi Ian,

I agree with Andy - needs a bit more contrast! If the owls are out regularly, then it won't be long until you get some 'big' light, so its def worth sticking at it! I've been experimenting recently with backlight with barn owls - might be something to think about.

Thanks for the feedback

I have images with more contrast but they are with an ugly background, I will take on board the advice and try again


Regards to all


Ian

Ian as we have discussed before the prints always look a lot better than the images compressed and uploaded on the website. At least you got the beggar I was too low in the grass. Shall we tell Andy the squeaker didn't work