Aerial dogfight

[Chris van Rooyen]

I created this image on a recent trip to Giants Castle. As usual, the White-necked Ravens and Jackal Buzzards were having a serious go at each other. I like bird's eye view perspective of this image. Comments and suggestions welcome as always.

Camera Model: NIKON D3
Date/Time: 2009:10:12 10:17:19
Shutter speed: 1/2500 sec
Aperture: 6.3
Exposure mode: Manual
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 1400
Lens: 600mm
Focal length: 600mm

[scott benson]

stunning shot well caught.

[Fabs Forns]

Great action and sweet background. Did you get the 600/4?????

[Danny J Brown]

Hi Chris: Beautiful action shot in nice, soft light. Great job.

[Marc Mol]

Great timing and perspective Chris.
If you did get the 600/4 ?? Your impressions?

[Jim Fenton]

I think that this is a really cool image creation.

Great dorsal view of both birds with perfect spreads.

Exposure and sharpness are right on and while a bit closer proximity to one another might have strengthened it, you certainly can see the intent and feel what's to come with the head turn on the Jackal Buzzard which sort of looks like an overside red tailed hawk over here in the US.

[Randy Stout]

Chris:

Another nice capture, looks like two WWI fighter planes getting ready for a dogfight.

When I first opened the image, I thought it was a bit flat. Opened in PS and in levels moved the shadow slider in to 19, which gave the image a bit more snap without blocking the blacks. Might be worth a peak.

Cheers

Randy

Randy

[Harshad Barve]

Wonderful action shot and killer BG
TFS

[Rohan Kamath]

i loved the perspective of this action packed image... really takes you there...Thanks for sharing...

-Cheers,
Rohan
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[Clement Francis]

Lovely 2 species you have got here in great action.

[Stu Bowie]

I like the similar flight angles, and well done on getting both in focus and sharp. Good exposure on the raven too.

[Chris van Rooyen]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions guys :-), indeed, it could do with some more "punch". I am in the fortunate position that we have both a 500/4 and 600/4 in our pool of lenses. Both are fantastic lenses, I like using the 500 when working from a car or a boat, but the 600 is great when working from a hide such as here.

[arash_hazeghi]

Awesome interaction Chris, it's hard to get a good shots with both birds sharp and in acceptable position, you did very well here.

[paul leverington]

Chris- I love this one! It almost looks as if we were in an airplane looking down upon them. So unusual and very powerful in conveying a feeling of flight. The shot does pull one in with gripping reality.

Nit wise I see that you could give the birds a little contrast boost as they look a bit washed out here--and that would also get them to pop out more from the bg.

Very refreshing shot totally Chris.

Paul

[Raymond Barlow]

fantastic image Chris, congrats!! the interaction amd dorsal view is really quite special.

[Kiran Poonacha]

great action here, loved the moment frozen. The angle and BG puts this over the top. congrats...

[Betsie Storm]

Wonderful side-by-side shot with both in focus, Chris; I missed that action:o. Maybe I'll work up & post mine where the raven is still following the buzzard....even if its just to compare the pre-IS Canon 500 f/4.5 to your new shiny gear:).
To the viewers- Chris was leading the workshop where this image was made; that's the way to experience Giants.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Chris....so so many things to like here. The diagonal placmement is awesome...and the buzzrd looking in makes it a real nice comp. The angle is very unique and cool.

KD

[Adrian David]

Fantastic action shot! Agree with a little more contrast on the birds.