Great Blue on fireflag

[Sid Garige]

Trying to include some environment in this image.
D300, 200-400mm VR
F4 1/320 Ev -2 Av Mode
ISO 640
SB800 ETTL +1

[Sid Garige]

Title change is not showing up on thread. Sorry.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Nice flight shot for sure. I wish for more room in front and I feel a little more off the top, more of a pano crop would work better. Some of the greens look just a touch noisy there. Maybe the size reduction caused that effect?

Also, would you mind answering my question in this thread you started? I know it's easy enough to miss. I just want to understand about the flash technique. Thanks. :)

[Sid Garige]

Nice flight shot for sure. I wish for more room in front and I feel a little more off the top, more of a pano crop would work better. Some of the greens look just a touch noisy there. Maybe the size reduction caused that effect?

Akos,

Placement of subject in the frame controls the story. My intent is to show great blue leaving brazilian peppers with a stick. Would like to know if I achieved my objective or not.

Image was made during back lit conditions. I used flash to light up the bird.

Also, would you mind answering my question in this thread you started? I know it's easy enough to miss. I just want to understand about the flash technique. Thanks. :)

My apologies. I somehow missed your question.

Shadow was created by the combination of low shutter speed blur and a very short light pulse from flash freezing action.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Placement of subject in the frame controls the story. My intent is to show great blue leaving brazilian peppers with a stick. Would like to know if I achieved my objective or not. Image was made during back lit conditions. I used flash to light up the bird.

Ah I see. :) I figure Brazilian peppers are some type of tree right? I think in that case perhaps having that also in the picture on the same focus plane as the subject would probably help with that objective. I am not trying to be an armchair critic, just note that the background appears to be of uniform softness so it looks to me as if the Heron is just flying parallel to the trees. That's all. :)

My apologies. I somehow missed your question. Shadow was created by the combination of low shutter speed blur and a very short light pulse from flash freezing action.

I sort of thought along those lines and second curtain flash? Am I correct about second curtain? You sure illustrated the technique wonderfully Sid. Thanks for explaining. BPN is a great learning experience for everyone. :)