Merganser take off

[Enrique Patino]

This image was taken a little over two years ago

I would like to perfect an image like this... any ideas or suggestions? thanks!



7D, 420mm @ 5.6, 1/80, ISO 640, cropped for comp - about 70% FF

[Ian Cassell]

Hi Enrique. I love the composition here and you came close. The flying water droplets and the relationship of the birds is great. I think it would have worked better if you had panned to keep the foreground bird's eye in focus. Your SS was slow enough that the remainder of the bird would have remained a pleasing blur - showing off the motion. Without a point of focus, however, I think the images is weakened.

[Diane Miller]

I assume it was meant to be a pan blur? You did come close. They are difficult and it may take many tries to get one right -- and they get easier with practice. (Like golf...)

It's just a matter of panning at the same speed as the subject, and holding focus -- simple, huh!?

[Randall Farhy]

I would recommend a panhead tripod or similar, at that lens length and shutter on a 7D, I'd say it's darn near a necessity to pull it off though this is pretty close. Ypu could also try a strobe set for 2nd curtain sync to help
freeze the ghost at the front of the blur trail. As others have noted, it will take practice. Cheers!