Coming Through

[Kirk Benson]

Well, I'm kind of resigned to the fact that I don't have the glass to get those super full frame shots that so many of you do so well, but I will keep trying.:D So, I'm trying to fill the frame with as much interest as possible. I like the action and light of this image, and I think the pano works well.

I've learned so much from all of you and feel like I'm improving, please keep teaching me. All comments and critiques are encouraged. Thanks so much for looking.

D300, Nikon 70-300 VR-II @ 300mm, Manual exposure, 1/1600s @ f/7.1, -0.7EV, Auto ISO 500

[Tony Whitehead]

Lovely light and reflections, Kirk. I agree the pano crop works well but wonder how it would look without the 6 birds on the far right as this is where overlaps are.

[Dean Fleischman]

I don't know about you, but I have a hard time making what I've seen described here as a BOB (Bunch o' Birds) work but this DOES work, IMHO. I agree with Tony that it would be interesting to see what it would look like with the fellas on the right cropped out.

[Kirk Benson]

I actually thought about the crop you suggested, thanks for the help guys. Is this better?

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Kirk, Learn to look at your shorter focal length lens as an advanatage rather than as a disadvantage. Many times a big lens and a teleconverter make it difficult to capture action, photograph groups of birds, or capture them in flight and action. I like both versions of your image. The bird that bothers me the most in each image is the avocet closest to the skimmer as it breaks up the skimmers reflection. In addition, it does not help the composition balance of either post and lastly it is facing away.

[Kirk Benson]

Artie,

Thanks for your advice and critique, very much appreciated. Each time I post an image I learn how it could be better by being more powerful and having more impact. The more I photograph birds (6 months now) the more I love it. Thanks again for looking.

[Arthur Morris]

Artie,

Thanks for your advice and critique, very much appreciated. Each time I post an image I learn how it could be better by being more powerful and having more impact. The more I photograph birds (6 months now) the more I love it. Thanks again for looking.

Thanks for your kind words. At BPN, there is no getting away from learning. Check this one out: http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...d=1#post146461

Do you have a copy of ABP II?