Allow me to shamelessly present to you for your critiques a swallow in flight shot. I'd love to share with you something different. But tried as I have, I still can't catch them dipping into the water.
D300; 300 f2.8; ISO 200, F4, 1/1000 sec; manual exposure mode; no flash; enhanced the color and shadows; cropped.
Last edited by Desmond Chan; 08-07-2008 at 12:58 AM.
It's hard enough getting these guys in flight over water, much less in flight dipping into the water! You did a nice job with manual exposure here. Eye contact is good, as is the near wing position. The far wing could be better. For swallows, maximize your shutter speed. ISO 400 would have allowed you to shoot at 1/2000, and may have produced a sharper image. Nice job Desmond!
Hi Desmond agree with Doug on the ISO Don't think I ever go below 400 and normally higher. You are very safe up to 640
Excellent catch of a speeding bullet Love seeing the topside Did well in having the bird in focus since its difficult with the water bg, normally the sensor wants to grab on the water.
Nice try! I agree with Al & Doug...push that ISO a bit more next time. I also wouldn't mind seeing the water a little less on the bright side - maybe with a bit more saturation to it?
I agree, should have used ISO 400. My other attempts also seem to suggest 1/2000 sec is a safer bet to freeze the wings. Did enhance the contrast a bit but worried that too much of it would make the shadow areas too dark.
Lately, I've been experimenting with shooting using only the center sensor (not 9, 21, or 51) after reading Jim Neiger's postings and other photographers' methods. If the tracking is done well (still trying), it seems to give me better results. This photo could be a result of that but don't remember well now. So, Al, using multiple sensors may really increase the chance that the water would be in focus and not the bird.
Julie, I think I did adjust the levels a bit and so the water looks a bit brighter as is.
Barn Swallow over the water
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