gannet pan-blur

Blurs are hard, no question. It's a fantastic, almost open-ended adventure. I try and usually fail. Here, I panned with the bird to at least get the head in focus as best I could. The day was foggy so I have boosted contrast, vibrance and saturation. I also ran the image through NIK Color Efex Detail extractor. The ground is sloping in this part of the colony so I kept the bird flying at a reasonable angle.

Date: 13 August, 2012, Time: 1632h
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM, @ 185 mm
Program: Manual
ISO 50, 1/60s, f/8

John, this one is outstanding! I really like how you managed to keep the head in perfect focus. I also think you got the wings in good position otherwise the bird may have been lost in the bg. Love the soft colors and patches of yellow in the bg. I might darken the bg just a bit if, it were mine. Even otherwise, it's a great pan-blur!

Hi, John, I love the clarity of the gannet and all the repeating gannets in the background. I tried another version with a little less definition of the gannets in the background - I used a motion blur on the background and then burned it a bit to darken it. I like the abstract hint of gannets as well as loving your version.:S3:

Your post, repost, all posts...this is a beauty...Well done getting the head in focus

Thanks all, and I really like your repost Cheryl. I now have a 6x stopper NB filter that will fit the 70-200/2.8 and allow slow SS and large apertures, which will help with the BGs.

Good job of panning with the gannet. Cheryl's changes made a good image better.

I didn't think this could be any better, but I like what Cheryl did with the added blur, and the darkening was a good idea. The composition, the blur of the gannet's wings, the focus, and the panning are wonderful. Overall, quite incredible.

Wonderful shot John! I also like what Cheryl did on the repost. It brings contrast to the gannet in focus even more. I really like that eye focus!

Beautiful work here John...love it!