Which is the Stronger Flight Image?

[Arthur Morris]

Image #1: Black Skimmer in flight — dorsal view

This image was created on 15 June 2023 at Nickerson Beach, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. While seated on dry sand, I used the hand held Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1485539-REG/sony_sel600f40gm_fe_600mm_f_4_gm.html/BI/6633/KBID/7226/kw/SO6004GM/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xSO6004GM) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1619483-REG/sony_ilce_1_b_alpha_a1_mirrorless_digital.html/BI/6633/KBID/7226/kw/SOA1B/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xSOA1B)ISO 500. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/4000 sec. at f/4 (wide open). RawDigger (https://birdsasart-shop.com/the-rawdigger-e-guide/) showed the exposure for the raw file to be 1/6 stop short of perfect. AWB at 5:43pm on a sunny afternoon.

Tracking: Zone/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly.

I am far better able to shoot handheld flight with the 600mm f/4 while seated as opposed to standing. Why? As I rest my left forearm and the lens on my left knee I do not have to lift it far when an opportunity arises.

Feel free to comment on either or bot images and let us know which you feel is the stronger photo. And why.

with love, artie

[Arthur Morris]

Image #2: Black Skimmer in flight with presentation fish

This image was created on 13 June 2023 at Nickerson Beach, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. While seated on dry sand, I used the hand held Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1485539-REG/sony_sel600f40gm_fe_600mm_f_4_gm.html/BI/6633/KBID/7226/kw/SO6004GM/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xSO6004GM) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1619483-REG/sony_ilce_1_b_alpha_a1_mirrorless_digital.html/BI/6633/KBID/7226/kw/SOA1B/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xSOA1B)ISO 2000. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/4000 sec. at f/4 (wide open). RawDigger (https://birdsasart-shop.com/the-rawdigger-e-guide/) showed the exposure for the raw file to be 1/6 stop short of dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:30pm on a sunny afternoon.

Tracking: Zone/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly.

Feel free to comment on either or bot images and let us know which you feel is the stronger photo. And why.

with love, artie

[Randy Stout]

Artie:

Both good flight images, but I find the second one (with the fish) to be more engaging for me. I like the fish, but also the grasses to give some depth of field, which is lacking in the 1st image. I do like the dorsal view better on the 1st, but on balance, it is #2 for me personally.

Randy

[Daniel Cadieux]

Artie: Randy stole the words right out of my mouth, and so for that reason, and just for giggles, here is my (and surely Randy's) ideal "best of both worlds" version combining both :bg3:

[Jonathan Ashton]

The second for me by far, I prefer the composition and the more visible eye, the grasses as mentioned add depth and as you might expect I love the fish in the bill.

[Steve Kaluski]

The first conveys diving/speed, moving forward to me, the second has more visual elements to engage the viewer IMHO.

TFS
Steve

[Andreas Liedmann]

Second one for me , I do like the oof grass and the fish .

Both versions are too tight for my taste ...

TFS Andreas

[kevin Hice]

I love both images but the fish and grass is my pick. I also Love Dan's version best of both worlds.

[Brian Sump]

Second takes the cake for me Artie. I love the more direct angle and the fish with grasses is super!!

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I like the second image more, Artie. Nice OOF elements, though as per Andreas, it is a bit tight for me.