Elegant Tern

[James Salywoda]

Elegant Tern
Southern, California

Split backgrounds are what I really look for in my flight shots it gives the image an artistic appeal.
This was taken a few weeks ago as the terns are on the hunt for fish to feed to their chicks.

Nikon D300 AFS 600 F4 1.4 TC
1/1600 F7.1 ISO 500

Thanks For Looking
Jim

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Great One, wow!!

Can you tell I like it. I do not remember seeing many split BG's. How does it originate. Moreover, is it water against sand and you are positioned on a pier to capture thru traffic, or something like that? Nice exposure techs too.

[James Salywoda]

Great One, wow!!

Can you tell I like it. I do not remember seeing many split BG's. How does it originate. Moreover, is it water against sand and you are positioned on a pier to capture thru traffic, or something like that? Nice exposure techs too.

Thanks Jeff! The land water combination is from pickleweed that grows around the tidal wetlands here. As far as getting this particular shot I was on land and the Terns dive into the water catching the fish then they fly out.
This one came up without catching anything.

[Aidan Briggs]

Perfect light, BG, exposure, and wing position. My only problem is that the head is soft.

[Caroline Darmo]

Wow! I love the light, exposure, background and wing position. I might apply a bit a selective sharpening to the head just to make it "pop" more. Gorgeous image.

[Stu Bowie]

Super comp, with good placement of the tern in the frame. Well exposed, sharp, and I too, enjoy two tone BG's. Well captured James.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Very, very good BIF James. I don't think I would change a thing. THanks for sharing. :)

[thijs broekkamp]

Well done! Really nice shot. The bg is indeed superberb!

[Danny Laredo]

This is really nice James. Love the pose and the split bg is fantasic.

[Grace Scalzo]

Beautiful, James. Great detail and pose, set off by that wonderful background.

[Nagesh Mula]

Beautiful picture James and I totally agree with you on split BKGR. I really love them. Congratulations!!

[Dave Barnes]

Super exposure James, nice detail captured in the light feathers.
Good flight angle and eye detail.
The orange bill pops and draws the eye to the head.
I like the split BG but would prefer it off centre.

[Raymond Barlow]

nice one James., I don't mind the split bg, but it is something I try to avoid personally., this one looks great with the nice blue tones.