Indeed... First picture gives a very nice view of the bird slowing down for landing - but indeed pity that the head / eyes are not visible... as you note, you take what you can and be happy with it, especially if it is such a rare occasion.Sorry, it never turned face to me (I mean the Red-tail)... With the Red-bill it's even more complicated: for ~2h it came once around and you catch what you can...
I'm still in process of valuating the photos from my last few weekends and got to this "problem":
When shooting a choppers for example you don't want to see a "frost" propeller - you are loosing the motion. On other hand, "freezing" the BIF seems to be very common practice. In the case with the birds I honestly can not decide what is better (or actually what I like better) - to show more details (overall) or to show the motion... I'm a detail maniac but on other hand I really like to show the birds "alive". Here are two photos to illustrate what I mean (do not compare the IQ of the photos, it's about the way how the bird is expressed). I know it's a pretty much personal preference, and question of creativity but still it's interesting to know the opinion of other people...
Obviously I can't speak for 'everybody', but general consensus among nature / bird photographers in my neighbourhood is that "as long as the eye / head is sharp and in focus, it comes down to personal preference and what you want to express with your picture". Within that constraint I do appreciate e.g. some blurring in the wing(tip)s...
Some time ago I experimented a bit with this (see this post)
W.
That level of wingtip motion is clearly more than acceptable, in my opinion. Here is an extreme case I took 5-6 years a with a 7D. I used to keep it at iso400 or below as the sensor was so noisy, and this shot was at 1/320s. As it was the first shot I had of a kingfisher hovering, I accepted it.I'm still in process of valuating the photos from my last few weekends and got to this "problem":
When shooting a choppers for example you don't want to see a "frost" propeller - you are loosing the motion. On other hand, "freezing" the BIF seems to be very common practice. In the case with the birds I honestly can not decide what is better (or actually what I like better) - to show more details (overall) or to show the motion... I'm a detail maniac but on other hand I really like to show the birds "alive". Here are two photos to illustrate what I mean (do not compare the IQ of the photos, it's about the way how the bird is expressed). I know it's a pretty much personal preference, and question of creativity but still it's interesting to know the opinion of other people...
Beautiful shot, Alan!That level of wingtip motion is clearly more than acceptable, in my opinion. Here is an extreme case I took 5-6 years a with a 7D. I used to keep it at iso400 or below as the sensor was so noisy, and this shot was at 1/320s. As it was the first shot I had of a kingfisher hovering, I accepted it.
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Hope you wore a hat!It was a most beautiful day, with several highlights and the sun behind me!
Hope you wore a hat!Beautiful photos.
That level of wingtip motion is clearly more than acceptable, in my opinion. Here is an extreme case I took 5-6 years a with a 7D. I used to keep it at iso400 or below as the sensor was so noisy, and this shot was at 1/320s. As it was the first shot I had of a kingfisher hovering, I accepted it.
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I really like your pictures of birds of prey flying in the rain, they are very detailed and natural. Congratulations!Some Red Kites feeding in the rain
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Tricolored Egret
Canon 7D Mk2 with Canon 500mm f4 lens, handheld.
1/800 s, f5, ISO 250 for the first ones, and 1/640, f5, ISO 250 for the last one. These photos were taken near Eagle Island on the St. Lawrence River, QC, Canada
Thank you for letting me know about the breed and the details.Nice pictures, but I believe that the bird is a Great Blue Heron.....
I do not believe that there is such a bird as a Tricolored Egret, there is a tri-colored Heron, but it is not native to the area and that bird isn't it. Great Blue Herons are not only native to the area, but quite common. I rarely go for a paddle in the canoe without seeing one. They fish in my back yard so I see them a lot!
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