Grey Wagtail on Dowles Brook
Lucky to have these so near to where I live. The conditions on the stream are so dark except for the one spot here where even in the summer it gets a bit of light. Difficult bird with the tail bob and especially using a slow shutter to blur the water.
D200 Sigma 100-300mm
200 ISO
30 th second f11
PP in SPro 7
70% of full frame.
Some selective blurring on back ground.
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Thanks for comments on last pic.
Cheers
JohnR
This is one of those shots that anyone who has spent any amount of time with Grey waggies will appreciate just how difficult they are to shoot at 1/30th. They never seem to stop bobbing up and down, and I know everytime I've tried this shot I've ended up with a blurred bird to some degree.
Therefore I'm going to forego criticising the slight facing away angle of the shot and congratulate you on achieving a technically very difficult shot - well done
Strangely enough this was out the side of a Dipper hide and for some reason hides seem toattract Grey waggys on our Brook I,ve actually had one come inside under the canvas !
Cheers
JohnR
I don't know enough to know if there is any reason behind this, but of the 3 dipper locations I get to see, all of them have a resident grey wagtail pair as well. Cracking birds all of them, both species very photogenic
Agree with, Mike re capturing a sharp shot at a 30th, so congrats on what is a super shot of this Waggy in a very natural setting. Love the motion in the water too.
Well done. Love the look of the water. Is that why you were at 1/30 at 11 rather than 1/125 at f/5.6? You might try sharpening the bird's face only with a 15-65-0 Contrast Mask and then lightening it a bit. I do like the placement of the bird's. head against the dark area.
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Thanks
Arthur
I tried everything so the whole excercise was hit and miss. I did some at 125th etc ,etc, but the one posted showed the water better and had the bird "nearly" sharp. There were so many chuck outs.!!
I'll try your suggestion but it will have to be the equivalent in Paint Shop Pro- I,m sure there is one.
Cheers
John
Thanks Binu
I sometimes look at the stuff we do and throw away, and then think of film days !!
I,d have been broke a while back !!
Cheers
JohnR
Heres one with Arthurs suggestions tried>
Last edited by John Robinson; 05-01-2014 at 07:43 PM.