This photo was taken with the following equipment:
Canon Xti
Canon 400 mm f5.6 lens
12 mm extension tube
It was taken from a kayak. I have had miserable failures handholding this lens, so i put the tripod legs under the bungee cords on the front deck of the kayak, turn the ball head to 90 degrees, and point the lens over the bow of the watercraft. Thus the lens is about 15 inches above the water surface, and by leaning forward I can see through the viewfinder and reposition the camera, still with the steadiness of a tripod. I have been able to get MUCH closer to shorebirds in a kayak without disturbing them than on foot.
I realize the water line is not perfectly horizontal. I will fix this in the final print I make. Any other suggestions to improve this would be welcomed.
sweet light Dave....agree about a little ccw rotation.
Might also get the histo shifted a bit to the right lightening the image overall...it adds a bit fresher look IMO.
Might take a bit off top and add a bit to right....only suggestions to look at :)
the low angle from the kayak is wonderful....congrats on a sweet kildeer image
because this is a critique forum, I tried a few quick enhancements...just a different impression Dave
reduced bg noise, added canvas to rt, cropped off top, levels, selective sharpen bird only
Last edited by Dave Phillips; 06-09-2008 at 07:50 PM.
Reason: add rework
Repost looks just right !! Just a little tighter did the trick. Also like all the other subtle changes.
btw lots of focal length taking into account the camera magnification !!! In the kayak you can use a rope from the lens foot and making it tight can allow you to hold the lens steady Lots of ways !!! Doing great from the boat !!!
foraging killdeer
