summer blue jay

[Rene Quenneville]

Last summer season was my first one with birds photography. I come frome the portrait side of the business. I soon realized that birds move fast, tripod are never steady enough and a ball head is not the best way to go... I took this picture with my newly purchased Sigma 100-300 f/4 lens mounted on my d200. Unfortunately, due to the factors mentionned previously, I did clip the tail and the claws. Depth of field is also on the narrow side, the eye is not pin sharp. I love the pose and the colors.

1/750 s
f/5.6
iso 400

[John Chardine]

Looks like the focus point was on the wing and right foot and the DoF was not adequate to hold the eye in focus.

Blue Jays are absolutely beautiful!

[Sid Garige]

You are already aware of issue with this image. I guess an opportunity to improve.

[Fabs Forns]

Good self critique, It's good when one can see the flaws and make a beetter image the next time :)
Thanks for sharing and your participation, Rene.

[Blake Shadle]

Sounds like you learned some great lessons! :) You captured a very pleasing background, and I think going back out in the field with the things you've learned will go a long way. When you've got good distance between your subject and its background, stop down a bit to f/7.1 or even f/8... you'll be able to smack that center sensor on his chest and still get the eye pretty sharp as well.