Leaping Limpkin

[Myer Bornstein]

D300s 200-400 hand held. adjusted , sharpened and canvas added in PS
Kissimme FL on the lake with Jim

200-400mm @ 400mm
600mm (in 35mm film)
Subject dist: 30m
1/1600 sec, f/5.6
Mode: Av
Metering: Spot
ISO: 800
White balance: Auto

[Harold Davis]

nice action and the exposure looks OK considering the "harsh light"? the bg seems really busy and i think the highlights make it seem even more than it really is. toned down might help a lot there. i'd darken the eye a little also.

[Lance Peters]

Hi Myer - love the action - think Harold hit it on the head though - the harsh light is the main issue here.
Also not sure on you ruse of spot metering?? IMHO spot metering really comes into its own when using the zone system - possible with birds but pretty hard and inconsistent results.

[Myer Bornstein]

Here is a retry comments and thanks for the C&C:)

[Dave Mills]

Hi Myer, I see some improvement but the backround is also throwing me due to pulling my attention from the center of interest. It's also a bit tight in the frame.

[Thanaboon Jearkjirm]

The color on the head improves with the repost but I like the wing color of the original better. Love the action you capture here, the wing spread, the determination look and the position of the legs with the dust around it. Maybe try to desaturate the background a bit to gain attention back to the bird.