I had the pleasure this morning of visiting a Cliff Swallow colony on a farm near where I live. We are studying the breeding success of the pairs at this and other locations. Swallows are examples of aerial insectivores that are declining dramatically, hence the interest. These are two chicks, still being fed by parents, but it won't be long before they leave.
Cliff Swallows nest under bridges and the eaves of buildings so the light is often low-level, as it was here. I helped the exposure along with some fill flash, cut back just to fill. BTW I only used the flash after I asked if it was OK and if the birds would be disturbed (they weren't).
For processing I cropped pretty tight and sharpened. I also removed the flash catchlights in the eyes.
Comments welcome.
Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Lens: EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x, @ 700 mm
Program: Aperture Priority
ISO 800, 1/300s, f/6.3
Exp. comp.: +0.3
Flash: on, Flash exp. comp.: -1.4
07-07-2011, 05:11 PM
Paul Lagasi
John, I think this is a beauty, sharp where it has to be...chicks are well exposed..well done
ID Eh ... might have to get my friend to raise his spending limit...:S3:
07-07-2011, 06:58 PM
arash_hazeghi
very nice pose with great eye contact from both,looks like the upper chick's beak and forehead are outside DOF....
07-07-2011, 07:03 PM
John Chardine
Yes Arash, I was trading off f-stop against shutter speed and although I am able to make sharp images with the 700mm rig at 1/300s the little guys were moving fast and I had many images that showed subject movement. I should have boosted ISO to 1600 and forgotten about it I suppose.
07-07-2011, 07:05 PM
arash_hazeghi
ISO 1600 is a good idea MK4 should have no issue with noise... great job at 1/300
07-07-2011, 10:36 PM
Julie Brown
Hi John. I like the framing and the tight crop. The eye contact makes this a very compelling portrait.
07-08-2011, 12:29 AM
Ofer Levy
I like it! Different and interesting!
07-08-2011, 11:37 AM
Stu Bowie
Hi John, good eye contact from the youngsters, and they are well aware of you. Good job with the flash, and I like the framing with their rounded nest.
07-08-2011, 03:30 PM
John Chardine
Thanks to all. Stuart- they do look like they are very intent on me but in fact the chicks look like this all the time and are waiting for a feeding from the parent. The nest is made of mud and is very much like an oven with a hole and the side pointing downwards.