A Peregrine Falcon was around the parking where I work for 2 days. He was there because he just killed a Mallard few minutes ago.
So at day 1 I observed it walking around its lunch and decided to take the chance to bring my camera the day after (day 2).
The day after, at my great pleasure, he was still there!!!
The following exifs show you the extreme conditions at the moment I took the shot (very dark and cloudy)...
Camera = Canon 40D Exposure Time = 1/25"
F Number = F11
Exposure Program = Aperture priority ISO Speed Ratings = 1250
Exif Version = Version 2.21
Date Time Original = 2008-10-29 07:42:23
Date Time Digitized = 2008-10-29 07:42:23
Shutter Speed Value = 4.63 TV
Aperture Value = 7 AV
Exposure Bias Value = -0.33EV
Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode Focal Length = 420mm
I was around 25 to 30 feet of the bird, but having no flash with me, I was forced to use a very high ISO number and a very slow exposure time (1/25s) HAND HELD!!!
We can see a little blur but event with it, I'm very happy with the result...
In order to be so near to the Falcon, I was also forced to return to my car and use it as a hide. So I took the chance to bring the car parallel to the bird and retain my breath when I stopped the engine!
It was a very lucky day for me and a memorable lifer for me too...
I hope you'll appreciate :-)
Sorry for my bad english...
Michel
Michel Pilon (Photographe-Naturaliste)
Quebec, Canada
This is a very nice portrait of a handsome bird. Love the lighting- it looks subtly flashed but the EXIF says the flash did not fire. The pose and head-angle are spot-on. I would have tried to give the bird some more room, particularly top and to left. Also I would tone down the dark OOF patch above the bird's back. I would also suggest a more subtle frame or none at all.
I love these raptors and wish we could have more in our central park, (the pigeons need to be ruled!).
If this image were mine I would boost the contrast, the cloning job in front of chest is not a big deal but great suggestion.
Thank you very much for your pertinent comments always appreciated :-)
I agree with you about the fact that the bird is a little bit squeezed in the frame but I must say that it is a full framed picture (lens used was a 300 mm USM IS f4.0 with a teleconverter 1.6x).
Juan, you did a nice job and like very much your manipulation :-)
For my frame, I must say that that picture is taken from my website whose background is black. This dark frame around my picture just disappear when you look at it on my website. This is the trick I use to put my copyright around the little grey frame. You can see what I mean by going on my website :-) : http://parcours.pilonm.org/cgi-bin/a...onPelerin!1!23
Peregrine Falcon: a lucky day!
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