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Welcome 1DXallow

Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena) 1920 px
With the 1DX version 2 body now hitting the shelves I managed to grab myself an affordable version 1 recently and I have to say I'm very happy with the performance and results of the first shoot!
Camera Details
Brand/Model- EOS 1DX
Lens- EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM | 1.4x extender
Camera Settings
ISO- 2000
F-Stop- 7.1
Shutter Speed- 1/6400
Exposure Bias/Metering/Flash- Manual + 1/3
Technique- Ground pod, pre-focus, burst mode 12 fps
BLOG - How I made this image
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Super Moderator
This is a very tough shot Matt, love the calling pose and the calm water which has given the image a nice dreamy look. I'd consider cloning out the reflection of the catchlight as well as the small lump of mud on the RHS.In an ideal world, the light could be a bit softer but you handled the shadows well
TFS
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Super Moderator
PS. The 1DX is still an excellent camera for action, do not underestimate it
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Originally Posted by
arash_hazeghi
This is a very tough shot Matt, love the calling pose and the calm water which has given the image a nice dreamy look. I'd consider cloning out the reflection of the catchlight as well as the small lump of mud on the RHS.In an ideal world, the light could be a bit softer but you handled the shadows well
TFS
Thanks Arash - I should have explained this is actually drinking behaviour, the bird is a split second away from grabbing a gape full of water.
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Lifetime Member
Hi Matt, I know how difficult it is to capture these fast flyers when they are drinking, so this is a top notch capture, and head on too. Love the open mouth, and I like the overall colours to the image. A reflection included to round the image off nicely.
I agree removing the small bit of island on the RHS wont harm the image.
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Macro and Flora Moderator
Well done Matt I think you did well there. You are lucky to have a small pond/puddle like that, I like the technique.
I did similar last year at a larger pond near to where I live. I anticipated the flight path and tried to AF with some success, they have returned so the next bright day I will retry - your results are better than mine.
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A fine image indeed. Bird, POV and BG are just great. I read your blog on this with much interest. The swallow fly here all the time, but very high. I'm yet to find where they drink.
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Excellent job on a really tough subject. I like the approach angle and the reflection. Given such a controlled little pool, have you considered trying with some lights and/or phototrap?
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Love it. I like the sharpness of the water near the bird that creates the symmetry. The stillness of the pond makes for a sharp reflection. Funny how we strike to get a catch light in the eye of the subject, but the catch light in the reflection does create a tiny bit of distraction like Arash suggested. It's very minor IMO, you can just burn it if you want to clone it. Loi
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Lifetime Member
This is EXCELLENT.
Loved reading your blog on how you captured this.
I have never seen swallows feed on a little puddle like this. I only see them over larger bodies of water.
Love your low POV, technical prowess to get this tack sharp.
Great colors and lighting.
I am OK with the little mound but could see a version without it.Catchlight in reflection doesn't bother me.
Very well done,
gail
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photography at its best ,i know how difficult and time consumimg these type of shots are to get,a good result all round
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Lifetime Member
All been said already, just an excellent version of a very difficult shot - top marks
Mike
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Thank you all for the kind words of encouragement. I didn't think of removing the distracting element but now that I have I prefer this version. Thanks guys for suggesting it, also cleaned up but left in the catch light reflection.