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Thread: Take off # 3 Pied Kingfishers

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Default Take off # 3 Pied Kingfishers

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    This was taken a while back when I last visited my good mate Gerrie in the Pilanesberg nature reserve. A millisecond later and the wing tip would have been lower and not intersected the beak of the other kingfisher.

    Canon 50D
    100-400@ 235mm
    1/3200
    F/5.0
    ISO 400

    Exp Comp 0
    Hand Held.

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    If only there was no overlap of the two individuals, especially the bill - but you are aware of it :-) I'm surprised both are so sharp...did you have to be more aggressive on the sharpening on one of the two?

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Hi Dan, thanks for your comment. I remember when I shot this, both KF's were perfectly sharp, as it was originally going to be a pair perched together. Thus when the one took off, he was still in the DOF range, thus remaining sharp. As this was processed a while back, I cant remember doing additional sharpening on either of the two. Hope that answers your question.

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    Yes, the overlap is there, but we must give credit for the incredible composition.
    Very nice and pleasing image regardless of the problem.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Daniel Cadieux View Post
    I'm surprised both are so sharp...did you have to be more aggressive on the sharpening on one of the two?
    Dan, not sure if it explains the sharpness on both, but this is only 235mm.

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    Nice natural moment, nice to have captured two of them, nice poses, exposure, detail, DOF and light, I wish there were not merged.
    Congratulaitons.

  7. #7
    Gal Shon
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    Very well captured,
    I like the water / BG, sharpness, light, exposure and comp.
    If only the wing didn't overlapping the bill.

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    IOTY Winner 2008 Chris van Rooyen's Avatar
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    Great capture, the wing clip has been mentioned. Well done at getting both sharp at that f-stop.

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    Well done on getting both this sharp in focus Stu. Nit covered. Great action capture!

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Stuart:

    These guys always make me laugh. They somehow seem cartoonish, and this pair is great.
    Tech. mentioned. Makes you wish for more FPS!!

    Very nice shooting angle, as we usually are looking up significantly at these guys. With that focal length, must have been in a blind. Our local KFs are so spooky, they are a challenge to get close to. I have tried approaching in canoes, kayaks and boats, not luck.

    Cheers

    Randy

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ilija Dukovski View Post
    Dan, not sure if it explains the sharpness on both, but this is only 235mm.
    That's what piqued my curiosity. At that focal lenght, if not much cropping was done, it means Stuart was very close - this usually gives the appearance of shallower DOF compared to when further away.

    I agree it is a pleasing image:)

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Thanks a lot guys.

    Randy, although we shoot from a hide/blind, these images are normally shot from a protected wooden walkway, coming out of the hide, with built up wooden sides to chest height. These Kingfishers, although totally wild, seem to have got accostomed to movement, photographers and anything else that moves around the hide. So makes for pretty good shooting if they pitch up, and we get the timing right.

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    wingtip mentioned but boy oh boy this is a top shot nonetheless! great timing and DOF!!
    Morkel Erasmus

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  14. #14
    Ákos Lumnitzer
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    Great work Bro. I love everything about it. I don't mind the wing intersecting the bill at all. Most editors and publishers probably wouldn't either unless they are over the top anal bird photographers themselves. :D

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    Stuart, Overlap or not I wish it were mine. Beautiful details. Nicely done!

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    Forum Participant Michael Zajac's Avatar
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    I love how you got them both in sharp focus. I find the merge slightly distracting but not too much. Impressive shot.

  17. #17
    Dave Barnes
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    Oh for that millisecond, but still a super capture Stu. NTS

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Thank you all for the great feedback. I appreciate each and every comment.

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