Stop a Speeding Bullet!

[Loi Nguyen]

I'm happy to say I finally got a reasonably sharp picture of this Kestrel taking off.

1DX
500f4 II
1/4000
f5.6
ISO-800
Handheld while standing on ladder

Thanks to Stu, Marina, and Arash for the tips from last week. I moved back and removed the 1.4X and started shooting when I saw the bird eye indicating that he may take off. (unlike a Redf Tailed, the Kestrel can take off instantly without raising its tail and leaning forward).

Cropped from horizontal to vertical. Now I got the shot, next time I can try to put the 1.4X back on so that I won't have to crop so much.

Thank you in advance for your comments.

Loi

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Congrats Loi on this successful capture. I like the wing position and the IQ has not suffered a great deal despite the crop. Well done!!!!!!

[arash_hazeghi]

great dynamic pose, you got this one. details are very good.

[shane shacaluga]

Congratulations!! Persistance paid off. A very nice image

[MohsenVahedipour]

Excellent take-off pose with great IQ. Lovely light. Congrats.

[Satish Ranadive]

Fantastic image Loi,
Great details,beautiful color. Very nice take off pose with full wings up you have captured.

Regards,
Satish.

[vishaljadhav]

Loi this one is wonderfully done, great timing and you have got the full bird in good focus,
Like the colours on this one too.
Nice image over all

[Daniel Cadieux]

Loi, very very nice!! Love the beautiful take-off pose, great colours, and comp. I also like that one of the talons is visible.

[Marina Scarr]

YAY. Super head angle, wing position and sharpness on this one. The light is lovely too. If you put the 1.4 on, back up just a little bit if I were you.

[Karl Egressy]

Excellent timing, great details.

[Iain Barker]

Well done Loi. Good to see you final got your image and your persistence paid off.

[Loi Nguyen]

Thank you everyone for your comments. It's hugely satisfying when a planned shot turned out. The head could be a little sharper as the AF fell on the leg, but it gives me reasons to try again :).

Loi

[Gabriela Plesea]

Loi! This is brilliant! I can just imagine you standing on that ladder with the camera in your hands Great balance! And great image too, well done!

Warmest regards,

[David Salem]

Great job Loi. Great looking take off shot with nice color and detail. The green of the tree adds interest and the comp looks great. One of your best and the effort was worth it.

[D. Robert Franz]

This is very well done!