Common Tern With Baby Bluefish

[Arthur Morris]

This image was created at 8:14am on the last morning of the Nickerson IPT with the hand held Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1092632-REG/canon_9524b002_ef_100_400mm_f_4_5_5_6l_is.html/BI/6633/KBID/7226/kw/CA1004002LIS/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xCA1004002LIS) and the amazing Canon EOS 7D Mark II (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1081808-REG/canon_9128b002_eos_7d_mark_ii.html/BI/6633/KBID/7226/kw/CAE7D2/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xCAE7D2). ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop off the low blue sky: 1/3200 sec. at f/5.6.

Center AF point/AI Servo Expand/Shutter Button AF as originally framed was active at the moment of exposure (as is always best when hand holding). The selected AF point was on the middle of the bird’s back. Click here (http://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2013/10/31/if-this-doesnt-get-the-point-across-nothing-will/) to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Learn more and enjoy a great wind against sun flight photography tip http://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2015/08/19/100-400-ii7d-ii-combo-for-hand-held-flight-and-a-wind-against-sun-flight-tip/http://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2015/08/19/100-400-ii7d-ii-combo-for-hand-held-flight-and-a-wind-against-sun-flight-tip/.

Don't be shy; all honest comments welcome. a

[Mike Poole]

Hi Artie,

Sorry, but I really don't think this - as presented - is up to your usual standards. The pose of the Tern is nice, with the cool banking, nice head angle, fanned tail and of course the fish, but there seems to be something off with the processing. There is quite a noticeable halo both above the head and on the far wing as if you've tried to recover lost detail, either through too big a crop or the original not being tack sharp.

Mike

[Bill Dix]

The fish is a plus, as are the full wing position and fanned tail. Halos noted, and could be easily corrected. The eye of the fish is sharp; something about the eye of the bird seems less so.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Wicked pose, and the fish prey is very cool - especially that it is facing the right way (head towards us). Perfect techs. I can see a sharpening halo that Mike mentions, but nothing major.

[Randy Stout]

Artie:

nice angled, banking turn captured, with fish, well exposed.

I would be inclined to try a vertical crop with more space below. I think all the diagonal lines would work well with a vertical frame.

Cheers

Randy

[dankearl]

Sharp as a tack, well exposed, maybe a tad off the left side....

[nick clayton]

I love almost everything about this superb image Artie, the only thing I would have done is add some canvas to the bottom of the image.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

For me, if possible, I'd leave equal amount of space below and above and move the bird
to the left a touch. Or, a vertical as well like Randy suggested.
A wonderful flight shot with superb details and great light Artie.
Thanks for sharing!

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks all. I do see the halo above the bird's head. The optimized TIFF is quite sharp on the face and the eye so bad on me :) a