Grey Fantail taking the plunge.

[Ian Wilson]

This is another shot taken at the pool in my garden using the high-speed flash set-up described in earlier posts. The bird is the Grey Fantail, widely distributed around Australia with several sub-species in a polytypic genus.

Canon 5DIII + 300 mm f/2.8L II + 1.4X III extender, three 600EX-RT flashes, remote shutter release RS-80N3, Gitzo 3532LS tripod, Kirkphoto King Cobra gimbal.

Pre-set manual focus, manual camera settings, f/14, 1/200 sec, ISO 200, 1/8 flash power all units, sail canvas backgound.

Processed in DPP4: adjust WB, gamma, NR, sharpen, RAW-TIFF. PS Elements: select bird, minor cloning, remove two flash highlights from bird's eye, background NR to reduce file size, crop, downsize, sharpen, TIFF-JPEG.

Thanks for looking, critical feedback welcome.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Ian, perfectly placed against the smooth BG, and what a great incoming pose with slightly fanned raised tail. Good detail throughout, sharp where it counts, and Im glad we can see the water for his bath/drink. Well captured.

[gail bisson]

This is pretty special. I love the fanned tail that explains the name so perfectly!
Great technical and set-up expertise - far beyond my skills so I really admire this image.
The only improvement I can suggest would be to clone out the distracting blade of grass in the water on the right,
Gail

[Morkel Erasmus]

Great pose here Ian. The flash work has rendered it pretty sharp.
I would consider cropping slightly from the bottom to get rid of the grass stems that are protruding into the image.

[William Dickson]

Another fabulous image Ian. I would love to have a set up like this. It must be a great feeling waiting for 'the shot'. Well done and keep them coming

[David Salem]

Man those strobes sure freeze the action well. I think this is my fave from this series of shots. The bird looks great against that BG you chose. Killer detail. Nice set-up shot.

[Lorant Voros]

Your drinking station and flash set up is working out big time. I love this one; very active little bird that is hard to capture. IQ is fantastic and the tail fanned is the icing on the cake for sure. Super work!