Royal Tern

[Henry Domke]

I always enjoy watching terns fly past as I walk the beach on Sanibel. The only birds at the PGT that have such beautiful flight are the Barn Swallow and the American Kestrel but I've never been able to photograph one of them flying.

This image has a couple of potential problems. First I used an aperture of f/18. What was I thinking! However, it actually looks quite sharp so perhaps diffraction did not cause too much trouble. In retrospect however I should have opted for a higher shutter speed rather than a higher aperture.

Another potential problem is that the wings are cropped.

Any suggestions or comments are welcome.

Canon 1DMk3
400 f/4 DO+1.4X TC
f/18
1/640 sec
ISO 1,250
Hand held
Processed with Lightroom 5 and Photoshop CC

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Henry, well exposed on the whites, and I like the fanned tail. It looks like the tern flew too close to you, apart from cutting the wings, F/18 didnt really help with the DOF either - too much glass.

[Diane Miller]

Nice exposure! I don't mind the clipped wings, as the dynamic pose suggests that the bird has come in fast and is very close.

[Karl Egressy]

I like the image as is, Henry. F 18 is very unusual. Was it an accident?

[Henry Domke]

F 18 is very unusual. Was it an accident?

I don't remember. I probably was just experimenting and saying "hey, what would happen on a bright day if I shot this at f/18?". I have to say the image really does look very sharp. Perhaps I should try f/18 again!?

[MohsenVahedipour]

Sharp with lovely pose. Very good exposure. Regarding the Exif date & "Shutter priority" exposure mode, F18 has been selected by camera.