Magpie Shrike take off.

[Stu Bowie]

I was ready for this one. In hindsight, and I will know next time to use a higher EC, as it was very overcast, and with my settings, didnt achieve the detail I wanted. Taken in the Kruger National Park.

Canon 50D
100-400 @ 275mm
1/1600
F/6.3
ISO 400

Exp Comp +0.67
Hand Held from the car.

[Betsie Storm]

Well caught Stuart. I think higher ISO and SS of 1/2500 would have helped to get it sharp overall? Then again, I'm not familiar with noise using the 50D.
A few removable smudges along the bottom? (If not, apologies for a dirty screen on my side:)). Good work getting it clear in the sky without interfering branches.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Stuart....loved the moment and the composition. The stare is very well captured....there is a purpose to the jump.

I know you are going for the details in black and white...but I wouldn't mind a little bit more contrast. Not on the bright side though....but try pulling in the black level to the right and have at least something at 0 value. Just thinking aloud...might help. not sure though.

KD

[Brian Barcelos]

Stuart, great wing position and love the dangling feet. You did real good on the exposure and think your choice of iso was good because anymore and there would of been too much noise in the blacks especially. Congrats

[Rohan Kamath]

i don't really know anything technical to add here but i sure liked the species a lot...

-Cheers,
Rohan
__________________________________________________
Conservation begins at HOME... We CAN make a difference...

[arash_hazeghi]

Nice action you got here Stuart, love the wing position and eye contact. Like how the twig acts as a jump board. Would crop tighter to show more detail from the bird.

[Marc Mol]

Lovely in flight shot Stuart, is it possible to go in a bit tighter on this?
I think you've done quite well on the exp as it is. Not easy birds to get right, as you know.

[Daniel Cadieux]

your choice of iso was good because anymore and there would of been too much noise in the blacks especially

A properly exposed image, even at higher ISOs, should not give you such problems as too much noise.

Good timimg Stuart. The exposure and details look good from here. I see you pulled back on the zoom to give yourself more room for the take-off pose...good planning! I would perhaps remove a small lenght of the twig touching the tail, just to give them some separation.

P.S. I agree with Betsie about the smudges at bottom ;-)

[Gerrie van Vuuren]

Great timing & posture! Exposure not that shabby at all. Agree with Betsie on smudges & Axel on twig. Still well done!

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I only saw the smudges after reading Dan C's comment. Still a great take off Bro. Lovely work and there appears to be more than enough detail in blacks and whites. All but the belly area perhaps. Congrats!

[denise ippolito]

Stuart, Beautiful pose w/ the tail curved. I like the soft blue BG. Nicely done.

[Stu Bowie]

Thank you all so much for the feedback and comments.