Flying Mallard

[Indranil Sircar]

I was tracking this mallard and took this shot just as it saw me and changed direction. Settings were -

40D, Sigma 50-500mm @ 500mm
1/1600 sec, f/6.3 Mode: Av, Metering: Evaluative, Exp comp: -1/3, ISO: 400, Hand held.

Changed S/H and increased canvas on the left. Your comments will be appreciated...

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the lookback pose and open bill. The angle is a bit steep and I would sharpen the bird more.

[Stu Bowie]

Very well done in capturing a fast flying character. The look back makes this image work.

[Fabs Forns]

Nice eye contact with the head turn towards you. The wing position is a bit awkward, but you did well catching him hand held. I don't know why you were -1/3, at the angle he's at and with the Canon system (you said evaluative) you should have been positive in compensation.
3o degrees over the horizon: 1 stop over unless the light is very strong, it doesn't seem to be that way. Under cloudy conditions, more positive comp may be necessary.

[Aidan Briggs]

Good points made by Fabs, and Axel. I like the open bill, but the head seems a bit soft, and the eye looks just a little weird.

[Indranil Sircar]

Thanks to all for the feedback.

I don't know why you were -1/3, at the angle he's at and with the Canon system (you said evaluative) you should have been positive in compensation.
3o degrees over the horizon: 1 stop over unless the light is very strong, it doesn't seem to be that way. Under cloudy conditions, more positive comp may be necessary.

Fabs, I was trying something else when the mallard appeared and did not get chance to change exp which I did while converting in breeze browser. Interestingly, I added exectly +1.3 as you have mentioned.

Here is another version with different s/h and more sharpning. Thanks fot the comments.