Forster's Tern with a Happy Meal

[Jay Ing]

Due to the presence of other shooters I wasn't able to get a low as I'd have lived for this day's shoot. But, despite the higher than desired angle and the failure to capture a full top wing display...and... the slight shadowing of the head, I was quite happy to grab this fella grabbing another fella in this light. Much better than my prior attempts at "this" shot. I think Dorian can relate :) Shot is pretty much FF so not many cropping options, but at least to my eye a center crop looked/looks best. IQ is a bit better than displayed here at the rich color palette required a reduced IQ setting (in PS).

Still considering the removal of the water shadow in the upper left and the top blob of water on right edge. Your thoughts?

A9ii with 600 GM, 1250, 2000ss, F8, Zone AF, HH, C1P, PS, AIDn.

[dankearl]

You have to go faster with the SS. You would be lucky to get the fish grab sharp at 1/3200...

[Daniel Cadieux]

Awesome light and action. I love the pose, and the fish is facing the right way. Yes, I'd tone down (but not fully eliminate) the dark water shadow in ULC, but I'd leave the water "blob" at right edge intact.

[Brian Sump]

Superb action Jay. I can see you're putting the 600 to good use :-)

[David Roach]

Just beautiful light and pose for both. Water action adds greatly. TFS

[Robert Kimbrell]

Nicely Captured. Excellent that you got such a nice position of the fish. Yes to tone down the shadow.

[arash_hazeghi]

sweet frame Joel! got a small fish too, nice light, I try to shoot 1/4000 sec with terns it does improve sharpness for sure especially at 1200mm

TFS

[John Mack]

Love the light. Great view of that fish and all the splashing water.