Peregrine Falcon - Low Level

[John Harper]

Hi There

Following on from my post yesterday of "Othello" the African Fish Eagle I now post a shot of "Lark" the Peregrine Falcon in display at HCT at the same 2.00pm display.

As I have mentioned in previous posts I much prefer if possible to get shots of the top of the birds wings when they are in flight as I feel this makes the image more interesting rather than the more usual underside of wings which is to be expected if you shoot from ground level.

(Must be a throwback to my days photographing fast jets at air displays)

The new tiered seating however puts you some 10 feet or so above ground level, and with the right wind direction and a little luck, you can get high speed passes from the smaller birds that you are looking down on rather than up at.

I have been trying to capture shots of "Lark" in a low level pass heading towards me for a number of weeks and on Sunday I finally hit it lucky and rattled off a series of 8 shots as he approached. (this is number 7) and to my surprise....(well I shoot a MKIII :) ) they were all in focus!

So all I have to do now is drop the shutter speed lower.... and get nice motion blur on the background...........and track the bird.....and focus the camera....and release the shutter... all in less than 2 seconds....yeah right. :eek:

Still there's always next time ;)

John

EOS 1DMKIII
EF 500 F4L
ISO 640
1/2500 @ F5.6

[Lana Hays]

John
Nice topside on Lark. As much time as you spend there I'm surprised that the birds don't give you personalized "flybys". I agree with working toward a more blurred BG. I just wish there had been a tad bit of light for that eye. Well done....both you and the MkIII to focus on this one.

[John Harper]

John
Nice topside on Lark. As much time as you spend there I'm surprised that the birds don't give you personalized "flybys". I agree with working toward a more blurred BG. I just wish there had been a tad bit of light for that eye. Well done....both you and the MkIII to focus on this one.

Hi Lana

Yes you would think so wouldn't you... I am sure some of the birds see me and think...Oh no its thats mad man with the 500mm again, and most of the staff....wave at me.. before wandering off shaking their heads...:p

Still it gets me out of the house and its cheaper than a shrink.... :eek:

I can get them with a bit of light in the eye looking up but then i don't get them doing the vertical knife edge pass... this is about as close as I have come.

John

[Lana Hays]

John
Holy excrement......now that's a topside peregrine!!!! I don't think you could have "painted that one" any more perfect. Have you ever thought of using flash for some of the images? I have a hard time with flash....especially would be tough with handholding a 500mm but you might have an occasion when you could try it. Of course with images like this last one........I probably shouldn't have even mentioned it.

[James Salywoda]

Your work with these Raptors is truly amazing. Outstanding Shots! The lower shot probably could use alittle Curves adjustment to lighten the Peregrine.

[John Harper]

Your work with these Raptors is truly amazing. Outstanding Shots! The lower shot probably could use alittle Curves adjustment to lighten the Peregrine.

Hi James

Thanks for taking the time to have a look, I must admit I find curves a bit of a "black art" what I have tried though is a bit of shadow highlight on the bird, and adding to the canvas to allow me to rotate the shot to vertical and give him a bit of room to fly into.

Not sure if it works, but would be grateful for your feedback

John

[Lana Hays]

John
I think you did well with the S/H. You have to be careful using it or else you'll end up with "halos" that are a giveaway to the procedure. Just selecting the bird will prevent that. This type of image can easily have canvas added wherever you like. I still like the position of the bird in the original......something about that diagonal that seems more natural......but that's just my opinion.