Kite close up

[Iain Barker]

After seeing Daniels fantastic snowy owl image yesterday I remembered this picture.
I took it a few months ago and have never been able to decide if the crop works or not.
Please let me know what you think.

I know the setting were not perfect for this shot:
Nikon D7000 300mm f4 AF. 1/500 sec f5.6 iso 560.
Small crop above and left and adjustment to levels in lightroom.

[John Rowell]

Iain, you have a very powerful shot of the head and morsel of meat in the kite's talon. It seems that the sharpest area of focus is nearer the tail, so I think you just missed the point of focus. Very difficult image to capture as the bird must have been right in front of you. I think you've done well with what you had for settings, maybe a higher iso could have given you a bit more latitude. I find the clipped wings more distracting than that they are not sharp and would have opted for a looser crop if you can get it. Very nicely exposed, great coloring on the head and one that would send me back to try for more.

[gail bisson]

Hi Ian,
Pretty cool to have a raptor so close.
The clipped wings and slightly OOF head really hurt this shot unfortunately. You needed a bit more room and higher SS.
These are the shots that make me go back out ,
gail

[Alan Murphy]

Comp works well here. Looks like a nice piece of sushi.

[arash_hazeghi]

I like the pose and sushi, but I agree head is unfortunately OOF, looks like focus locked on the tail.

[Iain Barker]

Thanks for all the comments they really help me improve. When you take shots like this do you use just one focus point? I tend to use dynamic 9 point autofocus with the hope I will keep focus if the bird moves slightly from my selected point. I am now wondering if this is causing my missed focus and if I should be using just a single point for BIF.

[Karl Egressy]

Nice image, but I feel that the head needs a little more sharpening or is it my eyes.

[John Robinson]

Good dramatic crop Iain. Was this at Gigrin ?
Pity about the slightly OOF head.
Cheers
John

[Iain Barker]

Not at Gigrin John I've never managed to get there yet. It was at Bellymack farm near Dumfries where some more kites have been reintroduced well worth a visit if your ever near there.