Coming Back Empty-handed

[Kent Wilson]

Purple Martin returning to nesting condo with no dragonflies.:(

Canon 40D, Canon100-400@400mm
1/640, f/7.1, ISO 400
Flash Comp -1

Taken last July; can't wait for the birds to return, 'cos I hope to do better.

Critiques and suggestions appreciated. Thanks for looking.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

On the negative side:
I think it is a bit soft and I am not sure what is wrong with the right wingtip.

On the positive side: I love the pose of the approach, I think your exposure is pretty good! Thanks for posting. It has tons of appeal. Cannot wait to see more from you! :)

[Kent Wilson]

I don't know what's wrong with the wing tips either. Wear and tear?

I'm going to post a jpg copy of the RAW file: no post processing (other that a bit in ACR). Maybe I need to sharpen more; maybe I needed a faster shutter speed (though the flash did fire); maybe I didn't focus accurately enough.

I'm open to suggestions. I don't want to make the same mistakes this year.:)

Thanks for the comments.

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Kent this guys are about as fast as it gets and not easy.

The trick is getting them larger in frame so they take up 80% or so .. makes a difference. To get them this size it takes good flying conditions ... meaning sun and wing at your back. With a strong wing they will hover a bit before entering the nest and are easier. Also there will be a predicting pattern !!!

btw no real secret Just use the center point only and keep it on the bird, your bird is off to a side and not sure if you were using all points? Looking forward to the next one !!!

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Kent,
I like what you were trying to do here...agree with the good advise given...I would open up the blacks to get a little more detail in the under wing...and selective sharpen the bird a tad more...:cool:

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Hi

Al meant wind coming from behind you! So that they have to slow down a bit on the approach. :)

[Lance Peters]

Hi - great advice from all above - like were you were heading - Practice, Practice, Practice :)

[Harold Davis]

great advice from al! good luck to you this year. cant wait to see what you get!!

[Kent Wilson]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I knew about the wind, but unfortunately, the weather refused to cooperate every day I went out. So I tried to make photos anyway. Sometimes, I see, it's better to just wait for better conditions.

This web site is still the best value in photography that I know of. Thanks again.

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Kent I usually go out any way and try to make some images ... but for keepers consistently you need the wind and sun angle !!!