Up, Up and Away...

[Paul Pagano]

Alligator Farm this morning. Way overcast today. Loved the muted light but missed the blue sky somewhat.

30D
70-200 f/4 w/Kenko 1.5tc
Av @ f/4 (5.6 w tc) @ 1/1000s @ ISO320
430 EX Flash w/BB Set at HS Sync
Eval Metered at + 1 2/3
I added some canvas at the top and sharpened some on the original. Also used Neat Image.

[Shawn Marques]

I like the high key look- there's nothing wrong with a white sky, especially with white birds. I think it's artsy looking! I would have been tempted to tilt the image to the left a bit so that the egret was more at a diagonal.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Nice light and the pose would be even better if the bird's left underwing were visible. It looks a bit soft on my monitor, maybe another round of sharpening.

[Paul Pagano]

Thanks, Shawn...Axel, you're right. I have an awful time trying to sharpen these smaller files. The original is sharp.

[Robert O'Toole]

The bill and eye look sharp at least,you can see the pink lores.

These are my favorite conditions for SAAF. Dont worry about the sky just expose for the underside of the bird at maybe +2 to +3 or more. Flash helps also.
Try to wait for the bird to fill the frame and for the flare out postion as they get closer to the trees. You dont need the 1.4X, or 1.5X, just use the 70-200. Also try to photograph the birds with the bonus nesting material.

Robert

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hi Paul,
Love the detail in the wings............All recommendations above are solid (especially like Shawn's).......but nicely done!

[Paul Pagano]

Thanks Robert....I sometimes don't use the tc but today I decided to. Once in a while I feel the 200 is just a bit short. I may save up for a 300 f/4 so I can keep the AF speed as it slows with the tc making the snowies, cattle egret, and little herons tough to snag in flight. I am still working out the better beamer and flash too.

Thanks Roman!

[Freddy Franzella]

You captured it well! love the open mouth!