70-200/2X TC

[Arthur Morris]

This Western Gull image was created at LaJolla with the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lens hand held at 400mm with the 2X III TC and the 1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering -1/3 stop: 1/2000 sec. at f/6.3.

I published an overview on using the various 70-200s for bird photography. You can see the other nine images in "Small but Deadly" here. The 70/200II/2X III is a viable combo for hand held flight photography despite the naysayers....

As for the image, don't be shy. All comments welcome.

[catalani giovanni]

Nice clip.
White made ​​good

[Arthur Morris]

Nice clip. White made ​​good

Thanks. What do you mean by "clip"?

[shane shacaluga]

You really nailed the whites on this one! Great pose with the separated flight feathers and love the blurred water as BG

What is it landing on? a rock?

TFS

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Shane. Guano-covered limestone rock on the cliffs.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Lovely detail great exposure, I like three slightly off centre composition lighting looks just about perfect, pose looks great, couldn't ask for more.

[Robert Kimbrell]

Hey Artie , very nice on splayed tail feathers, The whites look great as well athe b/g. The bird fits nicely in the frame, but I think I would like to see a little more of the rock/perch.

[John Robinson]

Whites very wellhandled and the movement caught well. I personally don't like the perch(rock) in my mind it conflicts a little with the white bird. I think the image would still be as strong without it. Just my personal view.
JR

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the wing position, fanned tail, pink feet, IQ, exposure, details and beautiful BG makes the Gull stand out. Excellent image Arthur!

[Loi Nguyen]

Hi Artie, nice and sharp, whites are great as mentioned. I personally think the perch is a bit distracting. As for the 70-200 and 2X combo, I gave it a try last week with the 5D3 and find that I need to pre-focus. If I let the focus slip to a distant BG, it's a kiss of death. But with pre focus, it locks the focus quite respectably. I got some practice shot of a peregrine falcon in poor light, but the combo works. TFS. Loi

[Aidan Briggs]

Classic birdsasart image, nice light, details, and a perfect exposure. I love the deep blue backgrounds of the pacific. IMO the rock is an important part of the composition and removing it would change the natural history of the image.

Looking forward to more!

[arash_hazeghi]

very nice exposure, I sometimes use the 70-200 with 2X III as well (although I like my old 400 f/5.6L better for faster focusing)

[christopher galeski]

nice capture.good exposure,nice pose,but not keen on the perch.

[Sandy Witvoet]

Bird and bg are striking. I don't "not like" the rock, but it looks like the Gull is "overshooting" it and we need some concept of "landing space" (if that is what he is doing!) .... so, perhaps if there was a bit more rock, yet somewhat subdued (so it doesn't compete with the bird) we could visualize the landing area?

[Marina Scarr]

Love the pose and whites are spot on. The rock has got to stay. Great looking bird against the blue.

[Frank Schauf]

Excellent pose and light, good exposure control, nice comp and good ambient.

[Arthur Morris]

Bird and bg are striking. I don't "not like" the rock, but it looks like the Gull is "overshooting" it and we need some concept of "landing space" (if that is what he is doing!) .... so, perhaps if there was a bit more rock, yet somewhat subdued (so it doesn't compete with the bird) we could visualize the landing area?

Hi Sandy, The gull in fact did land on that very rock, which looks pretty good--with details--from here :)

[vishaljadhav]

Rock or No Rock i could only look at the bird
actually when i first looked at the image i saw the pose and the exposure thats so spot on, and then read about the perch which to me is not a hindrance to the eye
i love those pink feet and the head position, the head position is where i think the rock makes more sense as the bird is looking at it before making a landing, removing it may have left something wanting in the image is my view of it
very nice one Arthur Bhai

[Sandy Witvoet]

Hi Sandy, The gull in fact did land on that very rock, which looks pretty good--with details--from here :)

Great Incoming/landing then! Thank you... (do really appreciate your feedback to my neophyte comments!)