I've been intrigued and impressed with this assignment and what people have produced.
Did not set out to create this one. The light was fading fast and suddenly this male American Wigeon wanted to leave. Puddle ducks lift off from the water pretty well vertically in an explosion. You can see here the wings pushing off the water itself, likely to break the suction with the water.
I wish the head had been sharper to provide a key focal point on the bird. Not sure how to do this and maybe it's just luck when it happens.
Full frame. Ran NR over whole image.
Canon EOS 50D, 500f/4 x 1.4 tcII = 700mm
capture date: Saturday, 16 May, 2009 8:19 PM
exposure program: Aperture Priority
ISO speed: 1600
shutter speed: 1/100
aperture: f6.3
exposure bias: +0.0
metering: Pattern
flash: OFF
Would suggest going after these on purpose. As presented would like more room up front for the duck to fly into, for these blur images all applies as for a sharp image. We also like to see some part of the duck (head) fairly sharp, not any kind of rule but it just looks better.
About the only way of getting is smoothly panning with the bird. The particular shutter speed used for this one is just great, love how the water looks and the amount of blurring on the duck. No way to pre judge the speed other than seeing a pattern develop.
Hi John,
The techs. have been covered by Mr. Forns...I like the flapping motion of the wings and the splashing of the water...looking forward to your next one...:cool:
I like what you are trying to do John. Think it would be better to have the head in focus a bit more. Good advice by Al. But neat showing the take-off.
assignment duck blur
